Violence Against Asian Americans - My Story
I was standing in the line at a fast food hamburger chain when this stranger approached me.
He told me to "get the f**k out." He then pointed his finger at a Chinese restaurant across the street, and shouted at me to go there instead. He kept shouting derogatory terms to describe my ethnicity until I walked out. No one at the restaurant did or say anything.
This happened at a small town in New Hampshire on a chilly day in March of 1994, just three months after I left South Korea to come to America. I was 15 at the time.
It was so sudden, and unexpected that I found myself completely paralyzed. Words would not even come out of my mouth to defend myself. As I was walking out of the restaurant, I felt ashamed, hurt, confused, and furious.
This was the first racial attack I experienced in my life. And unfortunately, it was not the last time.
Over the last 27 years since then, I experienced many other racially discriminating events. They ranged from overt, public slurs, to friendly "jokes" about my appearance, to stereotypes assumed about me in my personal and professional interactions. Each time, I stayed quiet. I would tell myself to ignore them, smile along, keep my head down, and work hard at my job.
And in the last few weeks, I was once again silent while watching the recent surge in violence against Asian Americans. It was just too painful for me to talk about and do anything.
Then, several non-Asian American friends and colleagues reached out to me to check in how I was doing. They told me that they thought about me when they were reading and hearing about attacks against Asian Americans. And their care and kindness helped triumph over my own trepidation about this important issue.
So, instead of remaining silent, here I stand with you and commit to you that I will speak up and share my voice. This violence and hatred must be denounced. As romanticized or idealistic as it may sound, what the world continues to need is more courage, more compassion, and more kindness. The ultimate truth is that everyone, regardless of their race, wants and needs to feel cared for.
I share my personal stories of being a victim of racism, my shame, and my heartache, to speak out against this pressing issue. I also speak up in gratitude for so many that have challenged and fought against the notion of racism and have supported me and others along the way.
With my story, I hope to convey to you that I hear you, I see you, and I am with you.
President Director - Creating a Sustainable Humane World in Harmony with Nature
3 年The original post had ?two issues of concern, first the verbal abuse ?by a white American to an Asian American & secondly bystanders in the queue at a food outlet looking away blind ?& deaf to what was going on. We are talking about verbal abuse & not crimes of robberies & physical violence We refer to White, Black, Asia etc. ?All ?came to America seeking a better & a secure life & not to forget many forcibly brought in as slaves. Also so recognise that native American Indians were slaughtered. ?One would expect human suffering makes people humane ?towards each other There is no need ?for the commentators to mount personal attacks, “ignorant & foolish, open your eyes – stop blindly believing, yourself might be a closet racist perpetrator of heinously?intolerant actions of hate, only racists in this conversation is you”.??If nothing else please be respectful Everyday worldwide hundreds of thousands are exposed?to verbal racial abuse in the streets, neighbourhoods, buses, trains, airports, hospitals & more. Show some concern & compassion & come to their defence. Verbal abuse is serious & ?hurts. It deserves support as it leaves victims unsettled the rest of their life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOXXDOsiCNs
California Resources Corporation
3 年I will never disrespect my Asian American friends and treat them like I would want to be treated. There is no reason to hate another race or human being. God made us in his image. We are to love one another.??????????
Kama Gayatri Publications Inc. is dedicated towards exploring the beauty of desire and relationships via the Erotica & Romance literary genres.?
3 年I hear you, I see you, and I am with you. #unity
N/A at UPS
3 年I really wish people would stop automatically stereotyping Asian people who live in the USA because of Covid 19. The majority of my social and other interactions with Asian owned businesses has been overwhelming positive. Very few cases of any problems with Asian people even in other retail stores and other types of businesses.
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3 年We all have those stories. At 10 years old, I became good friends with a black girl at school. One day I went to her house this was in the ’80s when you could visit people. When my friend opened the door, her mom said I told you to stop hanging out with that fucking white girl. You will never stop racism, just like you will never stop rape and murder. There are just evil people in the world. I learned at 3 years old to treat everybody the way you want to be treated. I guess some people learn differently. I'm sure all you liberals out there won't care about the racism I endured at 10 because it doesn't fit your CNN and MSN narrative. I'm not the right race.