Foreseeing the need for Asian-American advocacy, I was pleased to see advertisements for a panel and dinner event responding to anti-Asian violence in the community plastered all over the noticeboards. The event, hosted by the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, the Chinese Planning Council, issued the following statement on their fliers:
Racial violence directed against Asian/Asian American youth in NYC is on the rise. Immigrant APA youth who are perceived as “weak,” “defenseless… easy targets,” are particularly vulnerable to verbal and physical abuse by their peers. In light of two recent severe beatings of Asian immigrant students in Bensonhurst, as well as the possibility that Minghui Yu’s attack may have constituted a hate crime, members of the non-profit community organizations AALDEF, UCA, the CPC and SAALT will discuss how to respond to what are often cross-racial incidents of anti-Asian violence in humanizing and sensitive ways; how students at Columbia be of support to victims of racial violence; how we can strengthen the types of resources available for those whose lives are impacted by hate crimes and bias incidents; promoting comprehensive and proactive approaches in addressing incidents of hate violence; how we can attempt to prevent such incidents by educating ourselves and others; and finally, how we can move forward in building strong, healthy, and safe communities.
Sounds like an ambitious panel, but nevertheless good to see some healthy activism bubbling. I’d like to see our infamous little commenter on the linked article attend the event–either to learn a thing or two, or to continue trumpeting his ignorant views.
Racial violence shouldn’t be glossed over simply because it is committed against a group that might not have as vocal an activist base. I fully support any organization that seeks to draw attention to the growing outbreak of violence directed against people of Asian descent. It is time that we broaden the “popular” definition of racial violence beyond the black/white, or white/black paradigm. Realizing that many communities are subject to these incidents can only lead to a growing awareness, and in my mind a move towards prevention.
Said Raul Wikkeling,
On April 25, 2008 at 3:10 pm:
yay for censorship!! lol
Said znudzony,
On April 25, 2008 at 4:21 pm:
when and where is this event?
Said someone,
On April 25, 2008 at 12:40 am:
It is appalling that the entire Columbian community has not come out in support of the
asian community.
But what did Columbia do about the genocide of 60 million asians in the 60’s
and 70’s ?
Hmm.
Said anonymous,
On April 25, 2008 at 12:49 pm:
Anon, what COULD Columbia have done? The 1968 strike was counter-productive. I, personally, did what little I could but I did not expect Alma Mater to help. I did hope to get more than callous indifference to the plight of the Asians from so many Americans.
Realistically, unless you believe that the U.S. should be the world’s policeman, you cannot expect this nation to become involved in another country’s problems. Darfur is a tragedy, as are many other trouble spots in this world. Who is helping? What positive moves would you recommend?
Said Semper Fi,
On April 25, 2008 at 9:28 pm: