Action 4 asians

Why are we all here? Let me invite you to answer a question – describe a tough day in your life as an Asian American.

Ten years ago, if we asked this question, we might hear some of following answers -

“A neighbor made a very awkward Asian joke, I was upset but didn’t know how to respond”;

“My child was called a racial slur in the school.”

“My performance was the highest on the team, but I was bypassed twice for a promotion.”

In other words, life could be challenging on a day 10 years ago, unfairness and biases could have affected some of us. However, raised in the Asian Cultures we are so proud of, we believed in perseverance and doubled down on our hard work. We believed that, in a country that writes equality and pursuit of happiness in its Constitution, our lives will continue to get better.

Today, after a year of rapid increase of biased incidents and violent crimes against the Asian American population, a tough day can look drastically tougher than a decade ago:

“Someone set up an anti-Asian sign on my front lawn”

“My child came home crying, because a group of classmates called her ‘a virus’ and asked her to ‘go back to your country’. I didn’t know what to say to her.”

“My aging parent was physically attacked in bright day light.”

“I don’t feel safe.”

Today, we are reminded again that history does not progress in a lineal way. Progresses on social justices and equity take time, and sometimes can go backwards. Today, we are disappointed because we have been increasingly marginalized in recent years; we are angry because we have been seen as easy targets.

This is why we are here. We, you and I together, have to be the guardians of our freedom; we have to band together to make the world safe, and free from hatred. Today we are coming out on this rainy day, to show our solidarity to all victims of Anti-Asian hate crimes, and to raise awareness of the permeating and hurtful Anti-Asian sentiments. Today is the first step of a long journey we will take together.

America’s greatness derives from its diverse people. Asian Americans are an integral part of the American fabric; we are proud Americans from great Asian cultures; we are neighbors, friends, parents, and children. Some of us came recently, some families have been here for generations, and all of us call America home. let's raise our voice to its greatest volume above the rain and thunder, to demand a safe and equitable America for me, for you, and for everyone.

Sharon Hou

2021-03-28