by Sandy Kiyomura, Board Member

We are living in unprecedented times. It is not only because of COVID-19, but our nation has been experiencing heightened racial hate and violence. However, this is not new. For many centuries, US history is filled with racial inequality. In the 17th century, Africans were enslaved as cheap labor. The Native Americans have had their land, culture and race almost extinguished. As for the Chinese, there was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibiting immigration of Chinese laborers. This is the only law which targeted a specific ethnic group from immigrating to the US. For the Japanese, 120,000 Japanese were interned unnecessarily behind barbed wire fences with armed guards for 4 years during World War 2. Today there is a surge of Anti-Asian harassment, crime and violence. In the past year and a half, there were over 6,600 reports of Anti-Asian hate incidents.  On May 20, 2021, President Biden signed a bill to combat hate crimes against Asians and Pacific Islanders. 

We all watch the news and shake our heads. But what can you do? Asians are often known as the “model minority”, the “silent minority”. They don’t want to “rock the boat”. This needs to change. When you see something, do something.  When you hear something, say something.  Anti-Asian racism is subtle, cumulative, unintentional, casual and widespread. We need to speak up whenever we witness anti-Asian bias. More specifically:

Be an ally. Here are the 5 D’s of bystander intervention:

  1. Distract   Start a conversion with the person being harassed, ask for directions, drop something
  2. Delegate    Ask someone nearby to find someone in a position of authority
  3. Document  Try filming (pretending you are checking your email). Give it to the person being harassed.
  4. Delay  Check in with the person being harassed. Even a “knowing glance” can reduce trauma
  5. Direct  Speak up about the disrespectful behavior when it’s happening. “That’s racist”. “What do you mean when you say ‘Chinese virus’?” 

Whenever intervening, consider your own safety and the situation first.  I hope this was helpful. I have interviews and information for anyone interested.  You can email me at:  skiyomura@gmail.com

Stay safe!