What You Don’t See
About Racism Until It Happens to You
Born American, Bullied for Being Asian: My Story of Racism and Resilience
Growing Up American but Seen as “Other”
Even though I was born in the U.S. and consider myself American, I was bullied in middle school for being Asian. I felt like a banana or a Twinkie—white and Americanized on the inside, but with yellow skin and Asian physical features on the outside.
Usually, bullying stops as kids mature, and I hadn’t experienced much racism since my teens. But I never imagined that in my late 20s, I would be afraid to go outside in the country I call home.
The Rise of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes During COVID-19
Like many other Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), I experienced xenophobia in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. I was spat on and called names like “corona,” “Chinese virus,” and “Chinese f*cker” while walking my dog or going for a run.
The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes became undeniable. In early 2021, violence targeted vulnerable groups such as the elderly and women:
- Vicha Ratanapakdee, 84, was shoved to the ground and later died from his injuries.
- Noel Quintana was slashed across the face after asking someone to stop kicking his bag.
- Several Asian women were murdered in the Atlanta spa shooting.
According to reports, hate crimes against Asians increased 1,900% from 2019 to the first half of 2020.
Taking Action: How We Can Stand Against AAPI Racism
President Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum to combat racism against the AAPI community. But lasting change also requires micro-level actions:
- Volunteer to walk seniors in vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Stand guard to protect neighbors.
- Speak up as a bystander and report hate crimes.
- Check in with your AAPI friends.
- Raise awareness on social media.
- Advocate for inclusion in the workplace.
- Contact elected officials to address racial discrimination.
Standing in solidarity is not just about supporting the AAPI community—it’s about working toward ending racial injustice for all People of Color (POC).
Honoring Asian Contributions to America
While we face unprecedented times, I hope we also recognize the contributions of Asian Americans to the U.S., including:
- Labor & Industry: Chinese workers built the transcontinental railroad; Filipino farmers provided essential labor; Japanese immigrants worked in sugarcane fields.
- Cuisine & Culture: Taiwanese boba, Japanese sushi, Filipino adobo, Korean BBQ, Vietnamese banh mi.
- Entertainment: K-pop, K-dramas, anime, manga.
- Innovation & Products: Japanese cars, Korean technology, “Made in China” goods.
- Health & Wellness: Herbal medicine, acupuncture.
A Call for Humanity and Hope
I hope people humanize the struggles of POC who have battled racial discrimination while seeking a better life. Like the Year of the Ox, may we keep moving forward—bringing positive change, safety, and prosperity for all.
Sources
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/02/26/anti-asian-violence-oakland
