With the advent of Covid, the world has suffered a myriad of unthinkable hardships, heavily affecting citizens all around the globe. However, during these hellish times, another virus has resurged with full force – racism. To be more specific, there has been increased prejudice against Asian Americans and more distinctly, the Chinese. This vile bug has sustained itself through a cluster of factors during the pandemic including President Trump’s revolting rhetoric such as “Kung-Flu,” public anger over lengthy lockdowns, and the belief that the Chinese are 100% at fault for the biological terrorist that is Covid. All these varying components have led to an exponential rise in anti-Chinese sentiments and xenophobic attitudes. This influx of racism has turned some of our population into demonic devils, committing atrocious acts against my fellow Chinese diaspora in America. This sickening ideology has spread its appendages from the West Coast all the way to the Eastern Seaboard. Chinatowns all across America have been prime candidates to target. Stores have been ransacked; the elderly have been mercilessly beat to the brink of death’s door. Foul phrases like “Go back to Asia,” “Kung Flu,” and “Ch*nk” have become a normal part of some folk’s vernacular. Guns have also been drawn, leading to gory scenes of true agony and pain. Fundamental American principles like equality and the safety and well-being of our Asian Americans are being pummeled by racism. We. Need. Change.
In America, change is generally difficult to procure. However, elements such as high-profile figures like the legendary MLK, large protests, being outspoken, and catching the public eye can help spearhead America towards a new light. Standing up against the status quo and changing it requires you to make yourself known to all and to reverberate your voice across thousands if not millions. However, this culture falls contrary to how many Chinese were raised. In China, the culture heavily revolves around respect and power balances. As a child, you would have been raised to treat your parents and elders with respect. In school, the teacher has total authority. A proper student is expected to greet teachers each period and never talk back. For adults, the principle still holds true. You are expected to obey your higher-ups at work; quarreling or talking back towards superiors is career suicide. Additionally, all Chinese citizens are expected to respect and comply with the government. Respect is heavily intertwined in Chinese culture; failure to follow through will result in severe punishment. For instance, disrespecting your parents could be met with physical spankings or a severe, verbal warning. This respect breeds passivity and personalities that are timider which significantly reduces the ability to spark change. Additionally, most of the Chinese diaspora falls into two discrete categories. One sect which I’ll call the “Mainlanders” includes folks that were born and grew up in China before immigrating over in search of higher education or better career option. The other side is more commonly known as ABC’s or American Born Chinese – the offspring of the aforementioned group. Although ABCs grow up in America, Chinese culture is often being diffused at home through the parents. As ABCs start to come of age and encounter real issues, there is much confusion on what to do regarding these matters.
Many of the Mainlanders don’t actively participate in addressing these matters due to fears of speaking out and the potential consequences that come with it. They are frightened at the prospect that their voice could hurt their job opportunities, friendships, or potentially get them arrested. Their passive reaction is reasonable based on their Chinese upbringing. Conversely, the younger ABC generation is much more vocal, being raised in America and witnessing the frequent protests and marches on an array of varying issues. As the ABCs embark on their personal journeys on attacking these issues, the parents present a massive obstacle, pressuring ABCs to listen to their fears and concerns in an attempt to stem their activity. They’ll often paint scenarios such as getting attacked by counter-protesters or bringing unwanted attention to the whole family. Their last line of defense is claiming that someone else can stand up instead. However, if everyone is hoping that someone else takes the arduous task of standing up, change will never materialize.
I’m an ABC, and my parents are mainlanders. I’ve been struggling with the aforementioned dilemma of trying to respect my parents while also pursuing my own personal agenda. My ambivalence eventually ceased after witnessing the tragic victims of racism and my passivity. Constantly watching soulless criminals viciously brutalize helpless, Chinese grandparents and seeing the aftermath with images of pools of mahogany-colored blood, shattered teeth, and excessive bruising truly brought out the ire in me. That anger seething throughout my veins gave me the courage to make my decision and go against my parents. Continued passivity and inaction mean allowing these imbeciles to continue with their violent outbursts. Additionally, the prospect of losing my lovely parents to spineless goons and reading the somber messages of those Korean kids reflecting on losing their mother in the Atlanta spa shootings has only confirmed the necessity for me to act.
With such a difficult situation, I think it’s imperative that the entire Chinese diaspora in America plays a part in combatting this issue. We must not let our passivity and fears interfere and remember that our people are at serious risk. Victims could be anyone including our own loved ones which should be more than enough motivation to act. Rather than stay meek, we should embrace American culture head-on, participate in protests, and speak our minds. I hope we can witness social media plastered with our efforts against racism instead of seeing racism’s efforts against us. It’s vital that we don’t stay complacent and drive this cancer back to the depths of hell where it truly belongs. Equality will prevail, and it starts with each of us taking that first stride towards action.
