As an Asian American, I have experienced racism in America without realizing it. Even if you were born in this country, they will always consider you an outsider. They will always ask where are you from, and even though I answer their question (LA baby!), they get upset at me because I'm not answering it correctly. How can Asians be born in Los Angeles, CA, they had to be shipped from somewhere else (Although I think I was a Captain in my past life).
However in recent events, it made me look at myself as a minority and realize how not all POC (People of Color) are treated the same and those treated better than others are none other than Asians. We get the name "Model" Minority (A minority group whose members are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average.}. I am by no means close to being a "Model" of anything so this makes me feel uncomfortable, like who decided this for Asians? Check more on PBS "What I hear when you say Model Minority."
Although a stereotype, it's not necessarily a bad stereotype. There are worst things you could be called in this country and our African American brothers and sisters have it the worst due to years of systematic racism. They have been struggling the most for equality and freedom and I'm surprised that I don't hear support for the black community from the Asian community. And that bothers me to see subtle race issues within the community and model minority is putting POC against each other. If you are interested, there's a piece from NPR 'Model Minority' Myth Again Used as a Racial Wedge Between Asians and Blacks"
I think it's time we call ourselves out on that privilege, not just white but POC privilege. It's time to unite, no matter what race you are to support those suffering the most from the injustice. The black community has sacrificed (literally their life) for all minorities when they fought during the Civil Right's Movement and still fighting. We need to show our appreciation on how much they have done for everyone.
I see that a lot of whites are being called out on their privilege and I admire how some are responding but not so much from the Asian community. One of the Police officers for George Floyd's death was an Asian officer who just watched. Which is ironic representation of what is happening right now and thinking, I wasn't one of the officer killing so I did nothing wrong or I don't have to do anything. But you were there and did nothing. Don't be a bystander! Say something when injustice is happening.
We may never understand the suffering the black community and other minorities are going through but that doesn't mean we should stay silent. I'm known to say the wrong thing at the wrong time and far from perfect but I'm willing to listen and learn.
This year is the time to self reflect on the betterment of Humanity by starting on ourselves and how to become a better person. It's a long staking and maybe painful journey, but a journey worth taking.
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