Monday, April 6, 2015

Finding Place in a Black and White World: A Reactionary Response to "Why Ferguson Matters to Asian Americans"

Jonathan Reifman
ASA 2  Section 2
Week 2

     In her article, Soya Jung proclaims to the reader that Asian Americans must take sides in the race battle that is taking place in America. If they do not, they acquiesce to the oppressors who widen the ever-growing gap between races in this country. Jung illustrates the common feelings of rage that African and Asian Americans hold with the history of oppression the Koreans have faced during the twentieth century.
     While the rage she evokes is justified, caution must be taken before rash decisions are made. Acting out of rage and hatred has never garnered positive results for either side of a conflict. She is right in claiming that to make over-arching generalizations about an ethnic group is wrong, however, it can be seen that she generalizes groups of people as well. She takes time to specify that Asian Americans must be identified as their individual ethnicities -- which is indeed a valid point -- but goes on to say that "...whites [deny] that [Ferguson] is about race..." without qualification. I support her call for outrage in the Asian American community against the injustices that have occurred in Ferguson, but must ask for the de-generalization of all races.
     Hate and racism must never be allowed, but must be met with love and understanding, lest the cycle continue.

Question: What actions would the author support in making progress towards communication between races?


Image: A hopeful scene of a boy hugging an officer during a Ferguson protest in Portland.

No comments:

Post a Comment