Stand With Asian Lives | Love Our Communities: Build Collective Power
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHA MONÉ
Attacks on the Asian community are not a new phenomenon.
Unfortunately, due to the political climate and the accessibility of social media, these instances are highlighted in a way that pins communities against each other. Let us take these moments to learn from each others experiences and unite as minorities.
In the past year, since “President” Trump called Covid-19, “China Virus” on the worldwide stage, ignorance has bared its ugly face and created an environment where xenophobia has been commonplace. This has been and always will be unacceptable. Xenophobia and racism are never acceptable but in a country where stereotypes and separatism is the the foundation, we can no longer fall for their tricks.
While it is easy to form prejudices against communities from harmful and disappointing personal experiences, we must take the time to look at the way society and the powers that be have pined minorities against each other.
Remember: One experience does not equate to all of your experiences.
“The ‘model minority’ stereotype really isn’t meant to define Asian Americans. Rather, it’s meant to define African Americans as deficient and inferior to white people by using Asian Americans as a proxy… It was never an accurate portrayal of Asian Americans.” - Scott Kurashige, professor of American and ethnic studies.
America has dealt the Asian community an un-winning hand for centuries. Freedom from political unrest on American soil, but disruption and casualties on native land. Business loans for self-sufficiency, but lack of inclusion within community lines. Economic stability due to educational pushes, but a subconscious idealization of separate means equal.
They want separation between minorities and have achieved it.
America has served us all a plate of the American dream, but we only receive the portions that play at our fears. America has never wanted us to know we have the upper hand united.
We must try to teach our respective communities compassion and unity. Let us take these moments to learn from our ancestors ways and not make the same mistakes. History is our biggest teacher.
In a conversation with a Filipina friend last week, I realized that protesting might not be on the Asian communities “to do list.” Many people may already feel like “Asian lives matter.” Don’t get me wrong, they do. But America is a country who is banking on Asian Americans living up to the stereotype of being “weak, meek and non-confrontational.” A country that has told Asian Americans that they align more with White America than anything else. This alignment grants different privileges in the world and I, as an outsider, couldn’t imaging and I honestly don’t blame the Asian community for staying “quiet.” But this is a new day and we all know that quiet and helpless Asian stereotype is a lie.
And for these reasons, I have to preface this…
Dear those apart of the Asian Diaspora,
Please do not wait until multiple mass killings or pop up hashtags before you stand up for your community, outside of social media.
America might need to see you out on the streets.
America might need to see you be angry and vocal.
You have the right to be angry.
But please be angry at the establishment and the societal structure that you have been handed.
Social Media is a gift as well as a curse. Yes, it will give exposure to what is happening, but the comments, trolls and headlines will continue to create a divide. Social Media is not the real world nor is it a primary source or a firsthand experience.
This goes beyond K-Pop, food, fashion or music. Diversify your friend circle beyond your creative moments or jobs. Talk to your family members about their anti-Black rhetoric within the Asian and Black community. Talk about the rift between the AAPI, East Asian and South East Asian community what is needed to be done to create a more leveled and unified Asian community.
Treat the children that come out of the union of Asian and Black love as you would treat the children that where fully Asian or fully Black.
Many forget that what happens within the Asian community in the United States sets a tone for what happens within the community abroad. The lived experiences of Asian Americans can not be found in Asia, but the education and can travel
Whether you organize, educate, protest or march, please come together.
This is the time to unify all in the Asian community. You have allies within BIPOC. Please do not believe the media’s proposal that no one cares. We want to see and need to see you have allies within yourself.
Your biggest allies lie within you. We are following your lead.
I don’t have all the answers on how to fix Black and Asian solidarity or how to make Asian hate crime go down. I probably don’t even have the credentials to be writing these thoughts on the web, but I want to articulate many people’s thoughts in the most plain text form possible. I will close out with this.
Your pain is valid.
Your anger is valid.
I see you, if you feel that the world doesn’t.
We, not the police, keep us safe. Through education. Through unity. Through compassion and understanding.
