Respect Existence or Expect Resistance
It has been a tough YEAR and we are only halfway through, but who is to say these events will come to a halt by 2021? I am taking things day by day and allowing myself to feel all the feels. I haven’t been on my workout grind as I was at the beginning of the quarantine (late March.) I’m learning to forgive myself for not being on top of my game as we are in the midst of a pandemic and have been trying to do my part as someone who recognizes their privilege in support for Black lives.
A few posts I’ve sent out:
I see my Asian folks saying they don’t claim the Asian officer involved in the George Floyd case... You should reconsider that statement. We do have to claim him and we have to claim the accountability of these members in our community.
I hate the usage of the word, ‘ally’ in convos about “other” groups of people. It should be second nature to want to protect each other and our humanity.
It should NOT take countless Black lives to be lost for non-Black people to come together and pull up for their community. We take everything from Black culture, until it’s time to be Black. We MUST do better.
Accountability. Start small. Have courageous conversations with your family and friends. Educate yourself and others. Break those warped ideologies. Support ALL Black lives.
I grew up with too many Black and Brown folks to stay silent. My proximity to Blackness does NOT make me Black nor will I first-hand experience what it is like to be Black in America, but I acknowledge my privilege as a first-generation Asian-American to stand with and for you.
I am very blessed to say that I have never had an issue nor had to educate my parents on the hardships of Black and Brown people. When they came to the U.S., they lived with my Uncle and his family in a two-bedroom apartment with eleven people inside. Our neighbors were other POC trying to make something out of nothing. We all had the same dream.
If you are looking for ways to translate to your family who may not fully understand what’s going on right now. Click here. I sent the letter to my parents in Vietnamese. More information doesn't’ hurt!
I was able to attend two protests - one in Long Beach (Sunday, 5/31) and the other in Hollywood (Tuesday, 6/2) They were both emotional, yet powerful. Being surrounded by so many kind and supportive people blew me away. This was my first protest. As we were walking up, I immediately started to tear up... Saying their names made it more real and really hit me HARD.
On a lighter scale, it was great to see humanity show up. People were passing out water and snacks -- the Hollywood one had people passing out RX Bars and seltzer water (if that isn’t LA then idk what is; but I definitely appreciate it!) The protest is NOTHING like what the media is showing. Their job is to highlight the extremity of events aka when the National Guard roll in, when rubber bullets are shot post-curfew, looters, etc. It is as peaceful as a walk in the park.
Now, people have their own way of showing support and anger (rightfully so), but the things you see on TV regarding the break-ins are those who are opportunists and want to take advantage of the situation. They did not intend in protesting; they only intended to come take sh*t.
We must continue to fight the good fight. Again, this is another humanity post. I’m doing what I can to raise awareness, hold myself and those around me accountable, support Black businesses, have courageous conversations, educating myself and unlearning things that may have been taught in our society. It takes work, dedication, and heart. We can do this.
