We visualise the world to be peaceful and safe, but as we move forward in our lives, the word “safe” seems to be fading away. As we know, today’s society claims to be “colorblind”, though the word doesn’t seem to do good to any race or religion around, especially not for Asians today. The words we use, the sincerity with which we say each word towards “other” people is no good if our actions don’t define the show we put on. Today the Asian community is facing racism just because of their looks. Since, “COVID started because of them”. The world needs to stop blaming Asians for this pandemic. We need to stop asian suffering and hate crimes everywhere in the world but especially in North America. So many Asians living in North America are born Asian-Americans or Asian-Canadians and those who are not, devote much of their life contributing to our economies, trying to make a better life for their families. This country and America is much as their home as it is ours, who knows, they might have been here longer than we have. We are letting history repeat itself, if we claim to be modern, our mindsets need to change. It isn’t just about Asians, it is about so many minorities black and brown. We need to work to erase harmful narratives about Asian minorities in North America and the world.
Just like Americans or Canadians, Asians are also Asian-Americans or Asian Canadians. Many Asians we see today are most likely all born here and the Asian elders we see in communities, came to North America and worked hard for future generations. They earned their living in a new country away from their homeland and now their generations’ home is North America. Then why are people anti-asian? In schools, kids of asian heritage are bullied because they look different. They look like the “viruses that created coronavirus”and told to “go back to your country”. These kids were born in America, this is their country. Why? They are just like us, then why do we give them this suffering? Our minds have been blinded by the rage we carry and we want to release it on innocent people. Our neighbors with whom we once would laugh, have to hide in their houses so people don’t hurt them physically and verbally. So they can be safe, and people can release their anger on other asians. The one generation not afraid to fight is the eldest generation who are proud to be Asians, and are hurt physically for speaking out against anti-asian hate crimes. This is the respect people give the Asian Community and this is what they get for residing roots in a new county only to bring hate for future generations. Our countries are also their countries, we just need to accept it.
Our home is also their home. Just because Asians have particular features, doesn’t mean they don’t belong. We think that all Asian hate crimes are happening in America, but we need to look back at Canada too. Canada is known as a multicultural society, even then, Asians are facing hate crimes in Canada. It is hard to accept that racism still resides in such a peaceful place like Canada. Asians have been subject to xenophobia by North Americans. In the last month, Asian hate crimes have spiked 33% in BC alone. So many Asians experienced hate crimes involving being spat and coughed on. So many Asians have been confronted and have been told to “go back to your country where you belong, virus”. Many people don’t realize that everybody has a heritage though, the population only targets people with visible features and backgrounds. Everybody expects Asians to adapt to Canadian culture and blend in. This is racism in itself, asking Asians, how they can speak English. Why is it shocking that Asians can speak english? Why should they blend in? This is their homeland, people bring their own cultures. But during COVID, if you can’t “blend in”, you can go back to your country. Asians have a new name today, they are called “ perpetual foreigners”. This is chipping away at Asian strength and we have to stand up because history cannot repeat itself today, not in modern society.
In today’s society, with new aspects and stories, we are still not realising that we have gone through so many events which are just a repetition of history. We learn historic events in social studies classes so we don’t repeat them. But we are not reflecting towards those events and we keep repeating them. Racism was a huge problem back in the 1900s and in modern society we learned to not make it a part of our culture, though we haven’t maintained our “promises” and such. We did not allow racial discrimination in our society till now when COVID has made so many people mad and angry, that we started looking for a scapegoat, which were Asians. They are subject to murders, physical assaults, and mental assaults. For a long time, there has always been a model minority myth, a false idea constructed during the Civil Rights era, is also a base of Asian hate crimes. Since Asians are believed to be well educated, and rich which adds to the anger of other people. But this is a huge stereotype being dragged on for so long! Even if Asians are rich, it is because of their hard work. The racial injustice Chinese or brown people faced in the late 1800s in Atlanta has resurfaced today in the form of violence towards Asians people in Atlanta. All because of one mindset that took over other peoples’ beliefs of Asians.
Anti-Asian hate is an action that has crossed a line in our society today. We are believed to be better than this. Our values and culture is believed to be better than our actions today. My heart tells me to think differently and bring change. We need to stand together to change our society for the betterment of every minority. I grieve with my sisters and brothers and I stand against racial discrimination. Asians are Americans and Canadians. They belong here in their country. History is repeating itself, but we need to change and we will. There are stopasiancrime protests sparking everywhere. Justice should be served as Asians are our sisters, brothers, neighbours, friends, and colleagues.
Our voices are clear.
Our message is clear.
We stand against racial discrimination.
We need to be respected.
#StopAAPIHate
#StopAsianHate