Jason Lu, Period 7, 10/22/2021

Goal Setting  

What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

I’m an Asian-American individual, cisgender, and bisexual. I’m currently questioning my identity as a demisexual.
I haven’t gone through the horrors that many people like me have, and I often feel guilty aligning myself with them when I’ve been so privileged. My parents are tolerant, and so are my friends. I haven’t gone through any particularly troubling experiences either.
I think this is part of the reason why I sympathize so much with the oppressed groups, though, by picturing my own life without these “good attributes”. Their pain is my pain, and I cannot bear to see innocent people suffer.
I do feel an immutable anger as well, however. It infuriates me to see people actively being an oppressor, and even more so when people turn a blind eye. When authorities pull a veil of ignorance over the general public, any power we had as individuals went out the window. When people downplay the difficulty the oppressed bear, my scalp itches with fury. As humans, we are blessed with compassion and intelligence, and possess the highest capability to advance out of any animal on this planet. And yet, we seem to have trouble giving people basic rights. Our own species.
We COULD give every human born a bright and happy future. We COULD, but we end up retreating to subjecting the vast majority of people to gloomy, hopeless lives. Those in power appear to see us as minor cogs in the system - not even replaceable, just an accessory. An accessory that makes their society look more complex and lovely, but is composed of only a couple of “blessed” individuals at the core. The fact that those who are LUCKY receive recognition, rather than those that pour their hearts out just to feed their own families, is a clear sign (to those that deny) that a problem exists. 

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

As much as I’m inclined to express my anger for all eternity, I’ve frequently sat down to think about my current self, and maybe flaws that I’m overlooking.
I’ve often wondered if my anger is unjustified. I’m certain those who have gone through more than I would oppose this statement, but in the end, oppressors are human. We are flawed, and many times, these oppressors are just far too ignorant to comprehend what they’re doing. They’re much like invasive species in a way - harming the majority, but being relatively naive (emotionally) to the damage they’re causing. While I think it’s fine to get angry, as I do too, there should be a limit to how much blame they should take. 
Earlier I mentioned how I frequently get angry at bystanders, and yet in self evaluations I realize how ironic this statement could be. Even I find myself to be hesitant in situations where I can contribute for the better, either out of fear or just “not knowing what to do.” There’s a fear of making things worse, or a fear that doing something won’t ultimately do anything. And in the greater scheme of society, this is often true (particularly the last statement). As an individual, there’s a limited amount of things that we are capable of, and commitments we have to meet. It’s understandable, as frustrating as it is.
My own experiences definitely help me side with equality. I’ve often felt nervous to openly express my sexuality, and my Asian-American status makes me feel uncomfortable in particular regions of the US. When I picture these fears multiplied, my desire to inspire change in our society grows increasingly stronger.