Hey Tr*mp, This Is Your Fault
credit: @colourpopcosmetics
During my teenage angst years, my dad once said that when I’m feeling so angry or hurt and helpless, instead of shouting at the person who made you feel that way, to write a letter. He knew that it was probably the best form of communication that was in my wheelhouse, because I loved to write. So this is what this is.
Dear #45,
The hateful crimes and abuse that is happening towards Asian Americans is your fault. You have played the ringleader, the puppeteer, the commander in chief of all things racist related. There is no denying it, because you have vocalized it through your own words in your own voice via Twitter (remember that thing?) and on nationally televised media.
Growing up I was bullied. Although I can’t for sure confirm if it was racially targeted, I do have a vivid memory of the caucasian girl in 5th grade ask me “why can’t your mom speak English?” in a not so friendly tone, in such displeased annoyance. My mom couldn’t speak “good enough” english because it’s not her first language. And it’s not an easy language to learn either. As a kid I overheard her for hours reading the newspaper front and back just so she can practice the pronunciations. So, white girl (very tempted to say her name, but I’ll be the bigger person), maybe not everyone is meant to speak perfect english. Just like if you were visiting Shanghai and were trying to ask for directions, what if the local said rudely to you, “why can’t you speak Mandarin?” You see how it goes both ways white girl?
This is the video that made me break down into tears and I heard my dad’s voice saying to just write a letter. Write it out, put the rage on the page. Amongst all of the recent 2020-2021 hate crimes against Asian Americans that have occurred, this one is the closest to me not just because I basically grew up in that area of San Francisco, but she is probably someone’s grandmother, someone’s mother. She could’ve been my grandmother and to think of the pain and fear felt during the attack and afterwards, it was time to point the finger at you.
Tru*mp, you are doing all of this. Calling the Covid-19 pandemic a “Chinese virus” or the “Kung Flu” that has definitely earned you some atrocious karma. Majority of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders come to this country to work 2 to 3 jobs in order to send money back home to family, or provide for their family in the States. By providing I mean putting them through school, affording health care, buying clothes, shoes, putting food on the table and some if fortunate enough, to be able to take them to Disneyland. It all sounds precise, because it’s exactly what my parents had to go through to take care of me and my brother, my grandma and grandpa, while also sending money to their families back home. That is Asian Americans.
Asian stereotypes are embedded into my brain like a voice recording played over and over again at whatever age I am. Starting with how all Asians are supposed to be good in Math (some are, most aren’t including myself), how we are terrible drivers or how society, the media and Hollywood has portrayed Asian women as a sexual trophy.
The stereotypes that you should know to be true about us is that we excel in hard work, can juggle many jobs if needed, won’t sleep until our family is fed, and do enjoy the arts such as piano, violin, because those are beautiful instruments. We are the type of people that if we see someone suffering, we offer food or shelter, that is built into us. I’ve watched my parents, aunts and uncles help others and feel blessed that those values are passed down to me. That is Asian Americans. We are, like all immigrant families and BIPOC, survivors. We try our best everyday, to survive some form of racism.
Even with all the devastating tragedies from the past few years up until today and of course tomorrow and next year, know this - if the Universe made it so that things happen for a reason, okay. Then everyday I will wipe away my tears, gather the strength to face it and defend those who cannot do so for themselves. Just like my parents, my aunts and my uncles showed me. You can throw whatever greed, jealousy, whatever your deep rooted insecurities are to us, but just know that we can survive and fight back. The name calling is actually of no use at this point. We’re beyond being fearful, and now many of us are angry.
Hey Tr*mp, thank God for karma.
I am grateful for people like Ray Nell Jones who believes in standing up to racists and helping those being tormented or abused. It’s common knowledge and a household phrase that if you see something, say something. Stand for something. Stand up for someone.
If you live in a city where crimes against Asian Americans are happening here’s how you can be of help:
Be a watch dog. Keep your eyes open. If you see an elderly Asian woman, protect her with your eyes and make sure she gets to wherever she needs to be safely. Same goes for children, there are bullies slash terrorists everywhere.
If you have an elderly Asian neighbor, family or friend, reach out and offer to get their groceries, medication or drive them to places they need to go. They shouldn’t be alone in public right now. (What a horrible thing to have to say in America)
To learn more about what a hate crime is, what constitutes as one, what states have laws against it, etc … read here.
You can donate to Asian Americans For Equality or report an incident and donate to STOP AAPI HATE.
