ASA 002 A03
Week 8
"What Asian Americans are Bringing to Campus Movements for Racial Justice"
By Mark Tseng Putterman was definitely a very interesting read for me as it touched on the peculiar role that Asian Americans play in the battle against racism in the United States. It was suggested that although the Asian American population in the US has faced their own battles of oppression, they have since then been differentiated from the other minorities and have been labeled as privileged. Many of the people protesting feel that Asian Americans do not belong in the protests because they don't properly represent the people that are suffering from racism.
I'm a Chinese American, and I've always known that I am a foreigner and an immigrant to the United States. Being from Cupertino, CA I have been shielded from the extent of racism that still exists today, however moving even just two hours away from home to Davis, I can see that without a doubt, I am the minority. I am completely against racial profiling, prejudice and oppression but at the same time sometimes I feel uncomfortable speaking out about these things simply because of where I come from. Growing up, seeing more of the world and simply paying more attention to current events has led me to understand that I am in fact part of the so called "privileged". So I always ask myself, "if I come from one of the wealthiest cities in America, do I have the right, am I qualified to speak out against the mistreatment of other minorities?" I always felt that not only would I lack the support of other "privileged" asian minorities, but the minorities for which the cause I'd be speaking out for would criticize me for not knowing what I am talking about. There is a fine line, am I'm still figuring it out I guess.
Do you feel comfortable about speaking out against another minorities, racial prejudice, oppression and mistreatment issues? What gives you the right to do so?
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