by Allison Lee
As the fight for black lives and equality persists and spreads beyond the invisible bounds of the United States, people across different countries, cultures, and races are sympathizing with the movement and voicing out. One such prominent group of people we see backing the movement is the Asian community.
Asian Americans are held as a part of the model minority – myth or not, that is for another article – and though they do not experience the same extreme systemic racism that the black community faces, they understand the hardship of being deemed an ‘outsider’ in America. This itself is enough reason for Asians (not just in America, but all around the world) to stand up and voice out regarding the unfair treatment toward blacks.
In this article, I want to talk about the racism against blacks rooted in Asian upbringing (let’s not kid anyone, this issue exists) and how we, as Asians, can become better allies to the black community.
Growing up, Asians were told not to get involved with politics: “Don’t rock the boat!”. We were taught to mind our own business and quite stereotypically, perform the best we can in school and at work; that’s it. No matter where you are, I’m sure there has been an instance where you’ve witnessed someone inch away from black people or deny blacks certain opportunities solely because of their skin color.
Sure, some of us might say that we’ve never done anything racist, but watching racism take form and not saying anything is just as bad as committing an act of racism itself. Looking the other way and claiming to be an ‘innocent’ bystander is appalling when we’re talking about justice and equality. If we stay silent in the face of injustice, we have automatically taken the side of the oppressor.
So, I am calling out to all Asians, no matter where you are from, to break this cycle of racism and ignorance. Here are a few pointers on how to be an ally:
- Recognize Your Privilege
Jameela Jamil, activist and actress, once said: “Privilege is not always about wealth, education, and power. Sometimes it is purely the absence of discrimination. That is a privilege in and of itself.”
Every day that you get to live without being looked down upon or have basic rights stripped away from you is a privilege. Understand that people with advantages have to give up a portion of their privilege and use it for good to level the playing field for oppressed groups. Having privileges means we have the responsibility and tools to lift the underprivileged up so they can work with us to create a better world altogether.
- Talk About Racism
If you know anyone in your life – friend, family, or otherwise – who is outright discriminatory, call them out for it. Initiate that uncomfortable conversation and educate people close to you about the obstacles thrown at black people daily and globally. This may alter family dynamics in some households, but it’s a small price to pay for a bigger cause. If your friends aren’t willing to understand the plight of the blacks, you might want to consider befriending someone more like-minded.
- Educate Yourself
This is a basic one. Listen to podcasts or watch videos and documentaries if you fancy; pick up a book, perhaps even the one by Ruby Bridges. Understand that it’s not just police brutality against blacks or isolated incidents that make up racism, rather, it’s the traditionally rooted mindsets.
Once we start to educate ourselves, we consequently make smarter choices and are then equipped to empower the voices of the black community.
- Educate The Misguided
In times like these, calling someone out for racist behavior is not enough, we have to educate them as well. A few weeks ago, Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha James shared her opinion on Instagram asking the black community to take the protests as a ‘challenge’ and saying that they “chose to be born as a ‘colored’ person in America for a reason.” Many of her followers flooded to the comments explaining to her why she was wrong for what she said. Instead of instantly reprimanding her, the majority did a fairly commendable job of educating the other-minded.
- Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Make sure that you’re anti-racist and fighting for these causes all the time. Do not put on a mask and pretend like you’re an ally only when a black person has been wronged by society. Do not take action only after another black life has been prosecuted. Stay alert and do better.
- Let The Black Community Protest
Keep in mind that black oppression has been in existence for way too long. These are decades and generations of pent up resentment against a system that was never designed to protect them. Do not tell black people how to protest or feel. Instead, honor their feelings. ‘A riot is the language of the unheard’, MLK’s words have never resonated better.
- Avoid Making Comparisons
It’s an instinctive attempt to bring out similar challenges we’ve been through while empathizing with someone. However, for something as sensitive as racial discrimination, none of us will ever compare to what the blacks have been through. The center of this movement is the blacks and by drawing comparisons, you are competing with them for the spotlight, so to speak. Even if you come from good intentions, refrain from doing this.
- Listen To Black Voices
Follow black leaders, actors, artists, and activists. Listen wholeheartedly to what they have to say, the stories they have to tell. Share and support their work so it reaches more people. Consciously pump effort into this and put black people’s feelings ahead of your own.
- Don’t Wait For Blacks To Educate You
By lying in wait for black people to tell you about their stories and hardships, you’re exhibiting privilege and implying that black people owe it to you to illustrate their history. They don’t owe you anything. The internet works wonders, so do your research and reading. The blacks are on the frontline shouldering and fighting the systemic racism the world has implemented for too long. Do not give them the additional burden of having to educate you.
- Donate and Sign
It’s not enough to just declare your allyship through a hashtag and a black square and assume you’ve done your job. We’ve seen how signing petitions raised Derek Chauvin’s charge from third- to second-degree murder and how donations help sustain bail funds and organizations who serve black communities (NAACP, Black Girls Code, TGI Justice Project). It doesn’t take a huge chunk out of your time to help in these ways. If you can afford to donate, do so; if you can’t, sign petitions. Either way, these two modes of aid may seem insignificant, but they go a long way in progressing the movement.
- Accept That Racism Is Embedded In The Asian Culture
The Asian community has a list of taboo topics that is, without a doubt, longer than Santa’s Christmas list. Besides getting disgusted stares when talking about sex and hookup culture in public, many of us also refrain from discussing racism. Racism toward blacks is still embedded in Asian culture specifically because people refuse to talk and raise awareness about it. Just like that, racism is taught from one generation to the other unknowingly.
There is no use in pretending that racism isn’t prevalent in Asia. We have to be honest with ourselves about the flaws present in our culture so we can work toward betterment.
Even though the majority of the Asian community lives outside of the United States, this movement is undeniably global, as is racism. We have to recognize the power of our voices, the fault in the system, and stand with the black community.
I’d like to leave you with a quote from activist Jana Lynne Umipig: “Wherever you show up, whoever you show up to, understand that it is our collective responsibility to deconstruct, dismantle, and do away with the racism that has shaped our upbringing as colonized peoples and has positioned us against black people.”
