Growing up as an Asian, I somehow believed that racism was just part of the package. Being called a “chink” and “gook” was nothing out of the ordinary. You just hoped that in time, things might get better. A memory I will never forget is walking home with my grandmother. I was around 8 or 9 years old at the time. We had to cut across the park in order to get home. I remember seeing a group of several teenagers sitting over the gate and already I felt fear knowing we had to pass them. Please just let us pass quietly, I thought. I can’t remember exactly what was said but rocks were thrown. My elderly grandmother hovered over me to protect me the best she could. She doesn’t speak much english but even then, she threw out all the swear words she knew. I was in shock. I remember peering under her armpit and I recognised one of the faces. She’s the sister of my big sister’s friend. She looked at me straight in the eye. She didn’t tell them to stop. A week or two later she would end up coming to my house to see my sister. My grandmother didn’t recognise her but I did. We put food on the table for her. Our parents did their best to protect us and give us the life they wanted for themselves, it’s time we protected them.
There is so much we can learn from the elderly. A the same time, they deserve even more care and attention because they are more vulnerable. Knowing they have become targets make me sick to the stomach. Those who prey on the defenceless are cowards. Words hurt yes, but the line is so badly crossed when lives of the elderly and women are taken. Call it for what it is. Hate crime.
Please don’t be silent. Speak out. Anti-asian violence is real and surging. Don’t just love our food, love us as a community. CALL OUT HATE. Our parents and grandparents didn’t have phones back then. We live in an age where we can capture live moments. We can spread awareness. We have a voice and we should be empowered to use it to protect those who are unable to.
Bad days don’t kill people. Racism and misogyny do.
Educate. Communicate. Stop hate.
Do not let regression happen when there is already so much work to be done. To my asian friends who are scared, heartbroken and angry, I stand with you. I love you. #stopasianhate #speakout
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