Rebecca Lin, Period 1, 12/04/2023

Rebecca Lin
Period 1
12/04/2023
Modern Mythology 2024

Socio-political Consciousness



In recent years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States has seen an alarming rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. Fueled by xenophobia and harmful stereotypes, individuals of Asian descent have become targets of discrimination and violence. These incidents, ranging from verbal harassment to physical assaults, raise a huge concern about the safety within the Asian American community. The impact is not only physical but also psychological, leaving many Asian Americans feeling unsafe and fearful.

As an Asian American myself, I can’t help but feel disheartened everytime I see another anti-Asian hate crime reported on the news. My family and I are all immigrants from China, and none of my parents or grandparents understand or speak English well. Seeing all these people of Asian descent being targeted and discriminated against simply because of their ethnicity makes me scared for my own family’s safety.

“What if my parents get attacked while they’re riding the subway?”

“What if they start calling my parents slurs, and my parents can’t understand any of it?”

Personally, I’ve also been picked on just because I was Asian too. In middle school, some students would stretch their eyes to “mock” me. Others would say that the fried rice my mom made me “smells a little funny”. Some classmates would even tell me to “go back to your own country”. Although I’ve gotten over those remarks that's been said towards me, it still makes me feel incredibly frustrated, as I've always considered New York City to be a diverse and inclusive place.

Reflecting on these issues and my own experiences, I find myself questioning assumptions I may have held about the world being a safe and inclusive place. It has made me more aware of existing biases, and I've been more sensitive to the possibility of discrimination based on my ethnicity. I’ve also realized the importance of empathy and solitary. It's not just about fighting for my own community's rights, but also about standing up to injustice wherever it occurs. It's upsetting to confront the reality that others may harbor prejudices, but it has strengthened my desire to challenge ignorance through knowledge and awareness. I am constantly studying and reevaluating my own ideas in order to actively contribute to the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.