May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success.
“As I process the recent events impacting the Asian American community I am realizing there is a “cycle” at play as well. Here’s what it might look like: We (Asian Americans) see events that are clear examples of systemic racism against Asian Americans.
But in our own minds we think – Frick, This sucks… but no one is going to care. No one will stand up for us. It’s too hard. Just go back, mind your own business, keep your head down and work hard.Probably many of my non-Asian friends are like, There’s no systemic racism against Asians. They’re a model minority. Their women are beautiful. Their men work hard and mind their own business.
In our minds, “We’re erased. We don’t matter. It’s our fault…”
Christopher Luo
Learn about Asian Pacific Heritage Month
This is the collision of the narratives which leads to further deepening of systemic racism. Unless we talk and understand the cycle, we’re not going to be able to come together. I appreciate my non-Asian friends who have reached out and asked me how I’m doing. It might feel awkward, but I feel seen. I feel cared for. It opens up the doorway to talk about the narratives going on underneath and our “cycle.” Maybe that’s one small step to address what’s going on.”
The Timeline
- 1843 – The Gold Rush
- 1864 – Transcontinental Railroad construction began
- 1871 – The Los Angeles Chinese Massacre
- 1875 – Chinese Exclusion Act
- 1942 – Japanese Americans rounded up and forced into Internment Camps
