We Must End Normalized Racism Against Asian-Americans

By: Sachi Ramachandran

Growing up as a multi-ethnic Asian-American in the South, I have experienced my fair share of ignorance and blatant racism. For reference, my father is half Indian and half Chinese and immigrated to America from India over 20 years ago. My mother is from Huntsville, Alabama, and is Caucasian. For those who have never seen my face, I have tan skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. I’ve known since I was little that I looked different from everyone else. My features are vaguely Asian, but my face does not reveal my ethnicity. My experiences of casual racism usually center around my racial ambiguity and with the often asked question, “What are you?”. My own experiences are much different than that of fully Indian-Americans or Chinese-Americans, but I choose to speak out all the same.

There is a right way and a wrong way to ask someone their ethnicity. If you are wondering about a person's ethnicity, do not ask, “What are you?” or “Where are you really from?”. It’s dehumanizing and feels as if you are reducing a person down to only their ethnicity. Instead, ask, “Hey, I was just wondering, what is your ethnicity?”. Don’t ever tell someone they look exotic. We aren’t pieces of fruit at a grocery store. If an Asian-American, or any minority for that matter, tells you that comment or question is ugly, listen. Learn from that mistake and become informed on why it is offensive. You can’t tell someone what is or isn’t offensive to them if that is not your ethnic identity.

People often view Asian Americans as the “model minority,” which is a generalization that asserts that Asian-Americans are hardworking, intelligent, and obedient. The "model minority" myth creates a stigma around the Asian community that they are always successful and will never struggle, which inhibits Asian-Americans from being able to ask for help or talk about their struggles. For example, Asian-Americans are more likely to experience burnout or stress in school than their White counterparts, but less likely to seek a counselor for help. Additionally, writing off someone’s personal success based solely on their ethnicity and not crediting their work ethic or intelligence is racist and frankly just rude. The idea that Asian immigrants are always intelligent and successful has created a generation where racism towards Asian immigrants could be written off as a thinly veiled joke. These “jokes” are so normalized in American society that when a person speaks out against it, they are written off as “too sensitive.” The next time your Asian-American friend gets a good score on a math test well, do not say, “Oh well you are Asian so..” instead congratulate them and move on.

In light of the Coronavirus pandemic and Donald Trump’s racist comments, Chinese-Americans are experiencing a new wave of casual racism. President Trump’s use of the slur “Kung Flu” to address the virus is blatantly racist and a bright display of dog-whistle politics. Kung fu originated when Chinese immigrants began to arrive in America, and American-born citizens used Kung as a slur to degrade their culture. The use of the slur as a way to replace the real scientific name for the virus is mind-bogglingly offensive. These terms partnered with cruel jokes such as “It all started when Ling-Ling ate the bat” are incredibly derogatory and widespread on social media. His use of the terms Chinese-virus and Kung-flu are divisive and meant to place blame on a country and, as a result, a substantial minority in America. Not only has this racist term become widely-used, but a “fox-eye” trend is quickly growing in the beauty and fashion industry. The pose pulls back a person’s eyes in such a way that mimics a monolid eye shape familiar in East Asian cultures. The posture is offensive since that same pose is utilized to mimic Asian-Americans’ eye shape with racist intent. These terms/poses are only the tips of the iceberg of normalized racism against East Asian Americans.

Casual racism towards Asian-Americans must be addressed with the same severity that other forms of racism are treated. It is incumbent upon everyone, regardless of race, to call out racism when they see it. The next time an Asian person tells you a joke is offensive, be aware of that and do not write it off as sensitivity. Asian-Americans also have to speak out and choose to educate when they see or experience a casually racist joke or remark. Hold each other accountable and treat people with kindness.

Recent by The Teen View: