Standing with AAPI community expands unity
A day off provided opportunity to stand with and for Asian American and Pacific Island family during an anti-hate rally in Princeton.
Asians have been under siege during the past year as many dissenters blamed them for a pandemic that traced back to Wuhan, China.
Former President Donald Trump used racist rhetoric that fanned flames of violence and intolerance toward Asians although individuals should take responsibility for their behaviors.
Far too many people have attempted to explain or escape both actions and attitudes by proclamation that Devil Donald caused their racism or riotous behavior.
The Donald made me do it offers flimsy explanation for fanaticism.
“It’s a time when there’s so much vitriol out there. Whatever beliefs we have, we’re taught to hate the other side. There’s no dialogue anymore, there’s just shouting,” Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said.
“I’m here because the organizers for this event gave Trenton 100,000 PPEs during the pandemic. We worked with them for the last year. They didn’t have to do that. They were taking care of their own community of West Windsor. And then they opened it up to support Trenton. I guess that it’s reciprocal for us to support them.”
Reciprocity played no role in Black attendance. In fact, many African Americans who bobbed in a beautiful sea of diversity in Hinds Plaza although Asians represented a majority, described their presence as civic duty infused with love and energized by understanding of feeling targeted.
Others offered a welcome-toour-world assessment, saying that Asians face a proliferation of hate now and in a post-pandemic world.
Asians have enjoyed special status as the near-perfect minority, hardworking, nose to the grindstone and passive. Event organizers described an awakening during a year of backlash, including a violent attack in Atlanta that left eight people dead, including six Asian women. Pain and suffering have caused an Asian repositioning of self-awareness.
“We have been manipulated into the myth of “model minority” for the purpose of trivializing our pain and suffering and justifying the systemic oppression of Black and Latinx people,” said a statement released by event organizers.
Statement co-signers included Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Princeton University, Central Jersey Chinese American Association, La Convivencia — New Jersey, Montgomery
Township Equity and Inclusion Committee, New Jersey Vietnamese American Community Association, Princeton Progressive Chinese Americans, Princeton Theological Seminary’s
Asian American Program, Princeton University Chinese American Parents Association, Not in Our Town, Our Revolution Trenton, Mercer Rotary Club of Princeton, and United Chinese Americans – New Jersey.
Unification exists as proof of power through numbers although diversification
matters in social struggle. The civil rights movement conjoined people who cherished equality, justice and freedom, a sort of all God’s children need equity initiative.
Asians should welcome universal support, especially from black Americans and other minorities. Our desire to help centers
on right with no intent of quid pro quo or reciprocity. Of course, having Asian support on “Black” issues would be welcomed.
Conversely, Black support for Asians offers trustworthy and genuine assistance during difficult times.
An interesting situation developed in Princeton as
Asians stood together for photos.
Each photo group featured all Asians until one gentleman flipped the script. He distributed placards then invited nonAsians to join the photo shoot. We obliged.
An invitation expanded movement as unity advanced the mission of community.
Want to build a better world? Draw a larger circle that celebrates inclusion, respect and love.