Anti-Racism During the Pandemic & Resources
How
have I been?
I've known better days- literally & emotionally.
As
an Asian-American in white America, I’m not a foreigner to racism. News of the COVID-19
pandemic has made racism towards people of Asian descent more prevalent. It's worsened and it's disgusting. It’s allowed for dialogue to finally take place. There’s just a lot
I want to say. Too many times, my thoughts run too quickly to catch, much like
time these days. What even is time? The concept of it escapes me so often now
that I had to check: it’s been about four
months.
I've been finding myself immersed in current events and world news every day. A family member teased me recently about it. Y’know, I didn’t really do much of that before 2018. Unfortunately, as a result, it never opened conversations. I’m working on it.
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In the four months of quarantine, the crimes committed against George Floyd became the turning point.
Finally, so many injustices
have been brought entirely to the surface. It’s finally enough to gain public attention. Finally
given enough momentum by non-Black people to incite real, active changes even
though “enough” should have been too many Black sons, daughters, mothers,
fathers, friends ago – should have been so
many stolen lives ago. Why is it this way?
This is not the first time.
We
need to open our hearts and minds. The positive changes happening now are
important to pursuing human rights. The uncomfortable but open conversations
taking place with ourselves and others are vital. Let's remind ourselves that our responses to these injustices
have the power to create positive change. Our voices are truly powerful. The Black Lives
Matter movement has finally brought systemic racism of Black people into the light for
us. Changes in government happen all the time, too often to the disadvantage of
marginalized individuals & communities of BIPOC- too often.
You’ve heard it already and we need to keep hearing it: educate, empathize, and act. Let's educate ourselves. Let's do the research outside of the news, ask questions and empathize to understand how others may be affected by your actions, and act to correct it. If someone calls you out on something, really think about it and change. Act against systemic racism in your thoughts, in your words, within your circle of family and friends by speaking up from a place of love (I've come to learn this can be really difficult), and most importantly, act against the system of oppression through your votes. Which of those running for positions of power will truly hear the needs of the marginalized and act upon them? Who will listen to the humanity of their communities, instead of the prejudice that seeks to benefit only itself?
Black
Lives Matter is a movement. It's not an overnight trend and long-lasting
changes in society need constant attention and work. No, nobody needs to act savior. What is needed now is support through actions to move
this country forward from the systemic injustice that is racism.
It’s time to act.
Change is overdue.
P.S. Yes, there’s definitely still a pandemic going on. So stay home and distance yourself accordingly. If we ever get tired of staying home and social distancing, let's put our beautiful minds to work and get creative! And yes, I'm wearing a beanie during the summer.
Below are some resources to help support
the Black Lives Matters movement and Anti-Racism.
Official Black Lives Matter website
NAACPLegal Defense and Education Fund
Additional exposure, I suggest looking through possible infographics via Instagram through the #blacklivesmatter and #asiansforblacklives. Ask questions to create meaningful conversations that you can reflect on.
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