Asian-Americans have long been held up by whites as the “model minority” in opposition to African-Americans. We were the “good” minority who work hard, stayed quiet and knew their place. We would never get a seat at the table, but we were at least allowed to stay in the room to serve the meal while our Black brothers and sister were given scraps out the side door.
What we pretend not to know is the suffering of others.
What we pretend not to know is that the model minority is total bullshit.
What we pretend not to know is that our “success” is built on the same institutional racist architecture that keeps Black people from gaining economic and political power.
What we pretend not to know is that we buy our place at the table with our silence and therefore our complicity.
What we pretend not to know is that anti-blackness and white supremacy are deeply embedded in Asian culture.
What we pretend not to know is that keeping our heads down and not making waves will empty our souls.
What we pretend not to know is that our privilege as the “model minority” is undermined by always being seen as “the Other” no matter what schools we went to, how many degrees we have or how much money we make.
What we pretend not to know is that this fight is ours. It is.
What we pretend not to know is that looking the other way or not calling out racism is a racist act.
What we pretend not to know is that our future is intertwined with everyone’s and that liberation for one means liberation for all.
It’s time to stop pretending because now we know.
#asiansforblacklives #blacklivesmatter
