‘A’ is for Atlanta. Asian. Americans.

‘A’ is for…

ATLANTA

ASIAN

AMERICANS

What happened in Atlanta shook me to my core. As my own American experience is deeply rooted in growing up Asian in Arkansas.

During a time when identity was literally labeled as black or white, my family and I had to live in the ‘in-between’. We confused the hell out of everyone. And when people feel confused, sometimes they lash out.

Like the relentless slanted eye jokes and being karate chopped by kids at school. Because they just assume you’re related to Bruce Lee. Or the time a brick was thrown into our bedroom window, followed by a “get out of here you chinks." Or when my father was running the only Chinese restaurant in Conway, AR and a pick up truck ran full speed into it.

Just for being Asian in Arkansas.The fear was always that the violence would escalate to something fatal. And today, we all shared that experience with what happened in Atlanta.

‘A’ is for…

ASSIMILATE

AT

ALL COSTS

Stay silent. Don’t say anything. Just blend in. When combined with the immigrant mentality to survive at all costs, these are the grave cultural norms that reinforce our silence.

As Asian Americans Advancing Justice have stated, “We must invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and hate in…