After the tragedy of the death of George Floyd, people flooded the streets protesting with their Black Lives Matter signage. Now, nearly 10 months later, people are starting to now ask to “Stop Asian Hate.” What does that mean?
As a Hapa woman who is neither fully White or fully Filipina, I, too, wonder what it means to “Stop Asian Hate.” I know what it means for me. But what does it mean for you?
I am seeing the hashtag “Stop Asian Hate” all over social media, and knowing some of those people in real life, I’m wondering if it’s performative. Just as when people started flocking to the bookshelves to buy “White Fragility” and appear “woke.”
It’s ten months later and people have stopped talking about White Fragility. They still post their Black Lives Matter signs on their lawn, but they’ve carried on with their lives.
But there are many of us who face racism who can’t just keep carrying on with our lives as it was before. Not only do we “see” you, we see just how far your social justice carries you.
When our former leader started calling the coronavirus the China virus, it fueled the use of anti-Asian hashtags on social media platforms. When a leader’s ignorance fuels the fire for hate and racism, it’s hard to fight for social justice no matter the topic or the race.
Growing up in a diverse population in Maryland, you would think that I would not have faced racism. But when I applied for a job in a Maryland County school system I was told to change my “Asian” designation to “White” because otherwise I would not get a job in something other than a Title I school.
Instead I would be sought after by schools who would want me to match their population. But if I changed my designation to “White” I would be able to extend a wider net, per se, to prospective employers. I never changed my designation, I never felt the need to do so. I’m appalled that a diverse school system in Maryland would want me to do such a thing.
I shouldn’t have to change who I am to fit other’s peoples perception of me. However, for most of my life I did my best to blend in, to not draw attention to me. After I read the news about Elijah McClain in Colorado, I know that I could no longer blend in. I had to speak up and speak out against the travesties that’s plaguing our society.
So here we are, almost a year later and people are starting to sit up and pay attention to the racism against Asians. But I’ve got to be honest, I’m not seeing the fury that we saw over the summer. Maybe it’s a slow burn?
Montgomery County School Share Asian Culture in their Chinese Immersion Program
Parents at a Montgomery County School decided to do something about the Anti-Asian rhetoric and help one another educate each other about each child and family’s uniqueness. The school itself is part of a Chinese Immersion program within the school district. As a part of the Chinese Immersion program, the school teaches Mandarin to all of the students.
Bayard Rustin Elementary School and Potomac Elementary School are two schools who participate in the language immersion program located in Montgomery County Schools. Both schools focus on teaching Chinese to their students.
Governor Hogan and Chiling Tong Invite Marylanders to "Stop Asian Hate Virtual Action Day"
Addressing how Asian Hate has affected his family, Maryland’s Governor Hogan made a visit to Korean Way, where there are over 160 Asian businesses and about 60,000 Asians living in Howard County.
Hogan and Chiling Tong, president of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship together have announced that Friday, March 26, 2021, be a “Stop Asian Hate Virtual Action Day,” following the initiative started by Rep. Grace Meng of New York and California Assembly Member, Evan Low.
March and Vigil in Downton Silver Spring
In addition to the Stop Asian Hate Virtual Action Day on March 26, 2021, you can attend a “Stop AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) Hate” march and vigil in person in Downton Silver Spring. The march will honor the victim’s of the Georgian shootings. Meet at the corner of Sligo Creek Parkway and Route 29 at 6pm. Participants will march to the Civic building at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. The march and vigil are being organized by members of the local Asian and Asian-American community. Come stand in solidarity and lend your voice against the recent attacks.
What is your community doing to help stem the tide against racism? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to know!
#StopAsianHate
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