Thank you so much Heather. As a Chinese American, I can not thank you enough for tying everything together in you message tonight. I am going to be 70 next week, born in the US, and have been putting up with out right racism or micro-aggression my entire life. In my memory, 2nd grade, boys cornered me and threw stones at me. I never told…
Thank you so much Heather. As a Chinese American, I can not thank you enough for tying everything together in you message tonight. I am going to be 70 next week, born in the US, and have been putting up with out right racism or micro-aggression my entire life. In my memory, 2nd grade, boys cornered me and threw stones at me. I never told anyone. The boys that lived on the corner of the street of our suburban house, used to yell slurs when we drove by. When people say oh, we all faced discrimination, but y'all could blend in. We, like our black sisters and brothers can not. Hate does not happen often, but when it does at this point in my life, I get mad, I get sad, but no longer surprised. I am hoping this is the turning point. However, when you see the likes of Chip Roy, I wonder.
Sadly, Representative Chip Roy represents my district in Texas. I contacted him through his website this evening calling for his resignation. With free speech comes responsibility for what you say. I will work against his reelection for the next two years. I'm absolutely disgusted by him.
I was appalled (but not surprised) by how much of his white privilege he chose to display at the hearing. How much of a dolt can one be to re-start Chinese blame and be pro-"lynching" (connotations!) at a hearing about anti-racism?
That made me angry as well as his words. Not wearing the mask effectively was just another indication of his narcissism and having no concern for others.
I kept thinking how much I'd like to introduce his face to something he wouldn't like. Repeatedly. A perfect example of "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." He used to be Chief of Staff to the shitbird Cruz.
"Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It will then have been proved that, among free men, there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet; and that they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case, and pay the cost. And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation; while, I fear, there will be some white ones, unable to forget that, with malignant heart, and deceitful speech, they strove to hinder it. -Abraham Lincoln, 1863 letter to James C. Conkling
Understood. But... an eye for an eye doesn't end well for anyone, regardless who throws first. If the battle can't be won on the strength of ideas then the battle can't be won.
Umm, you did see video of January 6, yes? Do you think there is any "rational" response that those scum will respond to, that will cause them to see the error of their ways? These "people" are rabid animals and can only be dealt with as such.
BUT, "peace officers" should be enabled to "escort" an elected official to jail for recommending murderous acts. The elected official can chose to go quietly or violently, but whichever, OUT. And out of office.
Yes! The way he wore his mask was an in your face smack down to President Biden. They need to start enforcing the rules regarding mask wearing in Congress. It isn’t ok to simply hang one on your ears and not cover your nose. 😡
Reach out and get as many organizations and businesses to actively support the passage of the For the People Act. Our strength is in large numbers. Stay nonviolent always.
The best thing we can do is to get the For the People Act passed. I'm convinced that is the key that opens the most possibilities for a true movement. Write to you members of Congress to say why you support the bill and for them to vote For it.
I´ve posted with a link to the bill and am writing to representatives to encourage all I know to take up oxygen and be part of growing a try democracy.
"When you see something, say something. Even if it's just verbal comments, racist jokes, lend your support. If there's an incident of discrimination (at a business) speak with a manager... ...potentially file a complaint, or help the victim to file a complaint with state agencies. And finally, I think what we also need now is for all of us to urge action from our elected officials."
Let us know who ends up running against Chip Roy in Texas's 21st district. We can send "thoughts and prayers" (code for donations and likes) to his challenger.
Ted, In 2018, the first election after Lamar Smith retired, Chip Roy got 50% of the vote to Joseph Kosper's 48%. That's very close especially in Texas terms. As the incumbent in 2020 Chip Roy did a bit better - 52% to Wendy Davis's 46%. So with a strong candidate I think it very possible to unseat. I think one thing voters liked about Kosper was he is a veteran. I personally like to vote for veterans because they know what is means to fight for America, not just a party.
Susan, thank you for sharing your experience. It reminds me of the fallacy of the saying, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me!" Experiences of racism are cumulative trauma.
We have so much work to continue on anti-racism--individually, among our friends and families, and as a country. May all the causes of justice take hold more and more throughout our lives and with the up and coming generations of younger people.
Then with the figuring out cumulative trauma comes figuring out ways of healing. I’m glad you shared your experience with this group and are connected with Stop AAPI Hate. I hope they are helpful to you. As you noted, everyone has to step up to call out racism in the moment and to take preventive measures of both learning ourselves and teaching younger people about anti-racism.
Susan, you have my deepest sympathies and respect. It is apparent that ignorance is equivalent to breeding certain types of dogs. That’s what has been done in our country. It is very sad and maddening that people feel they can do or say what they want without thinking how they are affecting others.
This just happened in San Francisco and kudos to the woman who fought back!
"She was a frustrated, angry woman...The woman said she was hit and she attacked back." Um, you mean she was defending herself? Sorry, but that eyewitness' choice of words just rubbed me the wrong way.
Yes, words matter, Lynell. Attacking or defending are very different actions. Bravo to her.
America has the stranglehold of racism in our very roots and twisted around our flag. All white people need to be humbled as they step out of deep denial to what our indigenous peoples, our people who come from slavery (including natives and Asians) and all POC have endured from our inception. And thrives today.
My Vietnamese sister-in-law was raised in Seattle. On one of her visits back there to be with her family, she entered an elevator with two older women already in it. She pressed her desired floor number and turned to face the closing doors. As the elevator rose, the older women behind her derisively said, "Go back to your own country." "You bitch." I was so appalled when she told me this story, my heart felt broken. I had tears in my eyes to hear this. She was surprised and told me that is common and she has experienced this her entire life.
It is achingly painful to discover the quiet, and not so quiet pain, our peoples of color have endured and continue to endure. And as vile as it is, we have T***p and the tr**plicans of today to thank for forcing us to smell that stench of white supremacy. This is our history, America. This should be very humbling for all of us to face and break through our deep denial or ignorance. To "Act For All People." Step out of by-standing and stand up for one other. We have to be better this time. We have to take all of us forward. It is our generations of today, who are being called to undo all the "isms" before us. That will be our history to be very proud of in America, one day, and may turn out to be the True American Dream. The one MLK envisioned for all. Americans have to be carefully "un"-taught and face our fears of what is different. Whether it is religion, color, sexual identity, socio-economics or misinformation, lies and projection about everything, it is our time to stand up. I think we can help one another to remember to do it with as much love as possible. When we speak to someone who is ignorant, pretend it is you. What words would you want to hear to help you to wake up? (I have to face my particular anger and exhaustion of the past five years—this is not an easy task—but I am told: "We were built for these times." CPE).
You are right! Word choice is everything. "She was cornered and attacked by another 20 year old Republican thug wallowing in the hatred nurtured by Trump's racism. This 70 year old woman had the courage and ability to defend herself against a despicable coward." That would be a bit more accurate.
Thank you Marlene. I am a lifelong advocate of nonviolence, yet even I will say "Good for you, dear madam."
It seems likely that this SF attack was prompted by the Atlanta mass murders. If not, there's still the pervasive stench of white supremacy, never far away in the last few eyars.
There have been repeated physical assaults on Asian Americans, increasing even beyond the previous level, linked to failed45’s scapegoating for the virus he claims elsewhere is no big deal. These are consistently cowardly attacks, often younger men punching old women.
On Facebook, I saw on one of my high school pages what might have been one of the brothers. I confronted him about what they did. It turns out, it was one of the younger brothers, and he and his sister were mistreated by those brothers too. After that, I realized it was not about me. Those brothers were horrific.
I hope that was some consolation, and perhaps dulls the impact of their behavior toward you. We all respond as the individuals we are, but there were a handful of events/traumas in my youth that have never left me, they recede now and then only to return unwanted, unbidden, unrelenting.
Susan, thank you for telling us your own story: the demonizing and Othering of Asian people is a shameful and horrible spect of American culture that very few people address.
Othering is a great word to describe the process of how one group latches onto differences of another targeted group to dehumanize them to promote political and economic dominance, exploitation, and/or genocide. As in against Jews, LGBTQ, Roma, and political dissidents during the Holocaust; the history of European colonization worldwide; the history of European colonists against Indigenous Americans; the history of enslavement and labor exploitation, particularly of Africans as the largest and most systematic of targeted groups; anti-immigrant discrimination, legislation, and terror...
The list is too long and still a work in progress of making it past tense history.
I'm in a Blue part of Maryland and feel pretty safe here. A few years back, a guy followed me into Trader Joe's and called me a Chinese bitch, then went to the back into the storage area. I told the management, and they said there is nobody here as I described him. Now I wonder if I should have pushed back harder. I wondered if I cut him off with my car or took a parking space. Very mixed area population wise.
Hi Susan I’ve been retired from teaching for five years—my Asian students were memorable and some of my favorites. It’s late in the day for us here on the east coast. I’m very glad our President and Vice President are making a trip to the Atlanta area today. With your past situation that you shared, I’m glad you didn’t put yourself at greater risk with this racist. Stay safe!
Thank you so much for telling us your story. Welcome to the 70s! It is my hope and dream that you will see this new decade to be one where hate shrivels from lack of support. Happy birthday!
Great comments everyone. Thank you for your support. This does not just apply to Asian Americans, but for all people.
This is how to help ->>>
Manjusha P. Kulkarni of @StopAAPIHate
"When you see something, say something. Even if it's just verbal comments, racist jokes, lend your support. If there's an incident of discrimination (at a business) speak with a manager... ...potentially file a complaint, or help the victim to file a complaint with state agencies. And finally, I think what we also need now is for all of us to urge action from our elected officials."
He truly is a twit - a prejudiced, intolerant, ignorant twit! Sorry if that offends anyone, but there are moments where you have to call it what it is. And frankly, there are far too many of them elected (imagine!) to be our representatives in Congress.
Thank you so much Heather. As a Chinese American, I can not thank you enough for tying everything together in you message tonight. I am going to be 70 next week, born in the US, and have been putting up with out right racism or micro-aggression my entire life. In my memory, 2nd grade, boys cornered me and threw stones at me. I never told anyone. The boys that lived on the corner of the street of our suburban house, used to yell slurs when we drove by. When people say oh, we all faced discrimination, but y'all could blend in. We, like our black sisters and brothers can not. Hate does not happen often, but when it does at this point in my life, I get mad, I get sad, but no longer surprised. I am hoping this is the turning point. However, when you see the likes of Chip Roy, I wonder.
Sadly, Representative Chip Roy represents my district in Texas. I contacted him through his website this evening calling for his resignation. With free speech comes responsibility for what you say. I will work against his reelection for the next two years. I'm absolutely disgusted by him.
I was appalled (but not surprised) by how much of his white privilege he chose to display at the hearing. How much of a dolt can one be to re-start Chinese blame and be pro-"lynching" (connotations!) at a hearing about anti-racism?
Not to mention how he wore his mask.
That made me angry as well as his words. Not wearing the mask effectively was just another indication of his narcissism and having no concern for others.
I kept thinking how much I'd like to introduce his face to something he wouldn't like. Repeatedly. A perfect example of "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." He used to be Chief of Staff to the shitbird Cruz.
I do so hope that we do not devolve into a mindset that champions violence in response to serious violent tendencies of others.
The pseudo-conservatives like Chip Roy define themselves as our enemy and have declared war on society. We ignore their threat at our peril.
Then don't ignore it. Act!!! Actively support the passage of the For the People Act...
"Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It will then have been proved that, among free men, there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet; and that they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case, and pay the cost. And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation; while, I fear, there will be some white ones, unable to forget that, with malignant heart, and deceitful speech, they strove to hinder it. -Abraham Lincoln, 1863 letter to James C. Conkling
This letter from Lincoln deserves to be better known.
http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/conkling.htm
Calming, compassionate, logical. Lincoln was an Amazing author. How did he learn to wordsmith like that?
Understood. But... an eye for an eye doesn't end well for anyone, regardless who throws first. If the battle can't be won on the strength of ideas then the battle can't be won.
True.
There is no need for violence. Nonviolence is a very effective strength. Recommend reading Nonviolent Communications by Marshall Rosenberg.
Nonviolence is stronger, strongest.
Andrea 100%. No violent fantasies, please.
No violence needed if we had basic rules governing elected officials' words and behaviors. Calling for murder should mean instant ousting from office.
No only in my dreams
Channel the distress into peaceful action. No fanning flames.
Umm, you did see video of January 6, yes? Do you think there is any "rational" response that those scum will respond to, that will cause them to see the error of their ways? These "people" are rabid animals and can only be dealt with as such.
BUT, "peace officers" should be enabled to "escort" an elected official to jail for recommending murderous acts. The elected official can chose to go quietly or violently, but whichever, OUT. And out of office.
Yes. No, sadly there is not. Agree, but Cathy Mc is right. Channel it, and help others do the same. Speak out/Vote them out.
I just had a fleeting fantasy of the pillow guy in shitbird’s bedroom positioning the pillow over shitbird’s face
How about this, TC?https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/secondhand_smoke/index.htm
Is anyone surprised by that?
Same. 100%.
Yes! The way he wore his mask was an in your face smack down to President Biden. They need to start enforcing the rules regarding mask wearing in Congress. It isn’t ok to simply hang one on your ears and not cover your nose. 😡
Yes I noticed that—overall appearance base and crude.
Representative Grace Meng gave an emotional response. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/15/what-is-between-sen-ron-johnsons-ears/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_opinions&utm_campaign=wp_opinions
And was “this is what he did” very similar to TFG saying of the Capitol riot “this is what happens “?
He is trying to step out from behind Cruz's shadow. These are birds of a feather.
What can we do to help?
Reach out and get as many organizations and businesses to actively support the passage of the For the People Act. Our strength is in large numbers. Stay nonviolent always.
The best thing we can do is to get the For the People Act passed. I'm convinced that is the key that opens the most possibilities for a true movement. Write to you members of Congress to say why you support the bill and for them to vote For it.
I´ve posted with a link to the bill and am writing to representatives to encourage all I know to take up oxygen and be part of growing a try democracy.
Manjusha P. Kulkarni of @StopAAPIHate
"When you see something, say something. Even if it's just verbal comments, racist jokes, lend your support. If there's an incident of discrimination (at a business) speak with a manager... ...potentially file a complaint, or help the victim to file a complaint with state agencies. And finally, I think what we also need now is for all of us to urge action from our elected officials."
If a U.S. Representative suggests and endorses murder, shouldn't he (or she) be immediately ejected from office?
Leadership is a moral relationship among the leader and followers. So, yes hit the ejection button.
Let us know who ends up running against Chip Roy in Texas's 21st district. We can send "thoughts and prayers" (code for donations and likes) to his challenger.
Ted, In 2018, the first election after Lamar Smith retired, Chip Roy got 50% of the vote to Joseph Kosper's 48%. That's very close especially in Texas terms. As the incumbent in 2020 Chip Roy did a bit better - 52% to Wendy Davis's 46%. So with a strong candidate I think it very possible to unseat. I think one thing voters liked about Kosper was he is a veteran. I personally like to vote for veterans because they know what is means to fight for America, not just a party.
Why on earth would anyone vote for that creep over Wendy Davis? Hope she keeps after it. Have been sending support her way since her epic filibuster.
Hi Cathy— yes he’s awful. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank you for acting
Susan, thank you for sharing your experience. It reminds me of the fallacy of the saying, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me!" Experiences of racism are cumulative trauma.
We have so much work to continue on anti-racism--individually, among our friends and families, and as a country. May all the causes of justice take hold more and more throughout our lives and with the up and coming generations of younger people.
And Happy Birthday!
It took me a long time to figure out it was cumulative trauma.
Then with the figuring out cumulative trauma comes figuring out ways of healing. I’m glad you shared your experience with this group and are connected with Stop AAPI Hate. I hope they are helpful to you. As you noted, everyone has to step up to call out racism in the moment and to take preventive measures of both learning ourselves and teaching younger people about anti-racism.
70 years young.
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Susan,
Happy birthday to you!
Susan, you have my deepest sympathies and respect. It is apparent that ignorance is equivalent to breeding certain types of dogs. That’s what has been done in our country. It is very sad and maddening that people feel they can do or say what they want without thinking how they are affecting others.
This just happened in San Francisco and kudos to the woman who fought back!
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/03/17/elderly-asian-woman-beats-up-man-attacking-her-in-san-francisco/amp/
"She was a frustrated, angry woman...The woman said she was hit and she attacked back." Um, you mean she was defending herself? Sorry, but that eyewitness' choice of words just rubbed me the wrong way.
Yes, words matter, Lynell. Attacking or defending are very different actions. Bravo to her.
America has the stranglehold of racism in our very roots and twisted around our flag. All white people need to be humbled as they step out of deep denial to what our indigenous peoples, our people who come from slavery (including natives and Asians) and all POC have endured from our inception. And thrives today.
My Vietnamese sister-in-law was raised in Seattle. On one of her visits back there to be with her family, she entered an elevator with two older women already in it. She pressed her desired floor number and turned to face the closing doors. As the elevator rose, the older women behind her derisively said, "Go back to your own country." "You bitch." I was so appalled when she told me this story, my heart felt broken. I had tears in my eyes to hear this. She was surprised and told me that is common and she has experienced this her entire life.
It is achingly painful to discover the quiet, and not so quiet pain, our peoples of color have endured and continue to endure. And as vile as it is, we have T***p and the tr**plicans of today to thank for forcing us to smell that stench of white supremacy. This is our history, America. This should be very humbling for all of us to face and break through our deep denial or ignorance. To "Act For All People." Step out of by-standing and stand up for one other. We have to be better this time. We have to take all of us forward. It is our generations of today, who are being called to undo all the "isms" before us. That will be our history to be very proud of in America, one day, and may turn out to be the True American Dream. The one MLK envisioned for all. Americans have to be carefully "un"-taught and face our fears of what is different. Whether it is religion, color, sexual identity, socio-economics or misinformation, lies and projection about everything, it is our time to stand up. I think we can help one another to remember to do it with as much love as possible. When we speak to someone who is ignorant, pretend it is you. What words would you want to hear to help you to wake up? (I have to face my particular anger and exhaustion of the past five years—this is not an easy task—but I am told: "We were built for these times." CPE).
Thank You for the reminder and the wisdom, Penelope
Hear-Hear, Penelope. I will strive to follow your excellent advice.
Thank you Penelope!!! I agree Wholeheartedly 😊💕💕
You are right! Word choice is everything. "She was cornered and attacked by another 20 year old Republican thug wallowing in the hatred nurtured by Trump's racism. This 70 year old woman had the courage and ability to defend herself against a despicable coward." That would be a bit more accurate.
Yes! Thank You. May I re-post on fb to show the intrinsic mysogyny and racism in reporting?
We know words matter.
Thank you Marlene. I am a lifelong advocate of nonviolence, yet even I will say "Good for you, dear madam."
It seems likely that this SF attack was prompted by the Atlanta mass murders. If not, there's still the pervasive stench of white supremacy, never far away in the last few eyars.
There have been repeated physical assaults on Asian Americans, increasing even beyond the previous level, linked to failed45’s scapegoating for the virus he claims elsewhere is no big deal. These are consistently cowardly attacks, often younger men punching old women.
Just in the wide open again in the last few years.
Unfortunately, these attacks have been mounting in San Francisco and Oakland.
Remember this woman was SEVENTY SIX (?) years old - and she fought back. Beats up, really??
thank you for this
Thank you so much for your story, or at least that part of it you can share.
Those young boys who threw stones at you learned that behavior and, I fear, may have perpetuated it in their families.
On Facebook, I saw on one of my high school pages what might have been one of the brothers. I confronted him about what they did. It turns out, it was one of the younger brothers, and he and his sister were mistreated by those brothers too. After that, I realized it was not about me. Those brothers were horrific.
Thank you for continuing that story. One wonders how far back that abuse goes. So much needless suffering in our society.
I hope that was some consolation, and perhaps dulls the impact of their behavior toward you. We all respond as the individuals we are, but there were a handful of events/traumas in my youth that have never left me, they recede now and then only to return unwanted, unbidden, unrelenting.
Susan, this makes me so sad, especially for the small girl that you were. I’m glad you get mad now. I’m mad, too, for whatever that’s worth.
Susan, thank you for telling us your own story: the demonizing and Othering of Asian people is a shameful and horrible spect of American culture that very few people address.
Othering is a great word to describe the process of how one group latches onto differences of another targeted group to dehumanize them to promote political and economic dominance, exploitation, and/or genocide. As in against Jews, LGBTQ, Roma, and political dissidents during the Holocaust; the history of European colonization worldwide; the history of European colonists against Indigenous Americans; the history of enslavement and labor exploitation, particularly of Africans as the largest and most systematic of targeted groups; anti-immigrant discrimination, legislation, and terror...
The list is too long and still a work in progress of making it past tense history.
That is a great word - Othering!
Hi Susan yes I can only imagine what it’s like not to be able to blend in—what state are you in? Be very careful.
I'm in a Blue part of Maryland and feel pretty safe here. A few years back, a guy followed me into Trader Joe's and called me a Chinese bitch, then went to the back into the storage area. I told the management, and they said there is nobody here as I described him. Now I wonder if I should have pushed back harder. I wondered if I cut him off with my car or took a parking space. Very mixed area population wise.
Or, Susan, if you didn't do anything and just were.
Hi Susan I’ve been retired from teaching for five years—my Asian students were memorable and some of my favorites. It’s late in the day for us here on the east coast. I’m very glad our President and Vice President are making a trip to the Atlanta area today. With your past situation that you shared, I’m glad you didn’t put yourself at greater risk with this racist. Stay safe!
Thank you so much for telling us your story. Welcome to the 70s! It is my hope and dream that you will see this new decade to be one where hate shrivels from lack of support. Happy birthday!
Great comments everyone. Thank you for your support. This does not just apply to Asian Americans, but for all people.
This is how to help ->>>
Manjusha P. Kulkarni of @StopAAPIHate
"When you see something, say something. Even if it's just verbal comments, racist jokes, lend your support. If there's an incident of discrimination (at a business) speak with a manager... ...potentially file a complaint, or help the victim to file a complaint with state agencies. And finally, I think what we also need now is for all of us to urge action from our elected officials."
He truly is a twit - a prejudiced, intolerant, ignorant twit! Sorry if that offends anyone, but there are moments where you have to call it what it is. And frankly, there are far too many of them elected (imagine!) to be our representatives in Congress.
My sincerest best wishes to you, Susan.