"IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH"
IN CONVERSATION WITH JOY
In the face of rising anti-Asian hate crimes, Bonds Magazine spoke with a friend, Joy, to get her firsthand reaction to recent events. Joy is an Asian immigrant from Hong Kong who is an American-educated attorney working for a nonprofit organization.
The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity and brevity.
Sylwia: What was your reaction to the massacre in Atlanta?
Joy: It's really sad, but I don't think it was surprising to see. People who are in the AAPI, Asian American Pacific Islanders community, have seen the rise of violence against Asian people. Also, there's no doubt in my mind and many Asian people see this attack as racially motivated. The police may be refusing to characterize it as a hate crime but that's just bullshit.
I have read some commentaries that it’s harder to identify hate crime when it’s committed against an Asian person. What are your thoughts on that?
Joy: There is a lot of focus on how Asian Americans are the “model minority” and less likely to speak out. I think that plays a part in it. I think, of course, that the government, the police, or the judicial system have the responsibility to categorize everything equally. But that doesn't happen. I think that's just the reality of inequality. If you have inequality in the country, then there will be discrepancies amongst communities especially if it’s one that is more likely to be silent.
Also, Asian culture values perseverance and being tough so keeping quiet and not complaining is very much ingrained. And that is the reason that a lot of crime against Asian Americans is underreported, because like women they are supposed to quietly suffer and overcome any difficulty on their own.
How does this value system make you feel?
Joy: In Asian culture, women are generally encouraged not to bring attention to themselves and are taught that this will keep them safe. So I can’t help but feel angry at the attacks because I’m already dressed modestly, I’m not trying to bring attention to myself, I’m just walking the street quietly but it’s still not enough.
Do you remember a time when someone made you feel uncomfortable about your race?
Joy: Yeah, I feel like it's probably a series of microaggressions that you tend to forget. When I first came to the United States my peers in high school would ask me if Hong Kong had electricity. I thought to myself - have you seen pictures of Hong Kong?
Also, while still in high school suddenly all these guys wanted to have me as their girlfriend because I was Asian and exotic. Nobody told me I was exotic so that was confusing.
The way people treated me felt like they saw me as a novelty. I was made to feel like I was different because those differences were constantly pointed out. And that was always a way to emphasize that I didn’t belong.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for Asian American women?
Joy: It’s the fetishization and the stereotype that come with being an Asian American woman. You’re either exotic and hot to date but at the same time, you’re supposed to be submissive and quiet. I think that has a negative impact in one way that I feel perpetrators may see me and Asian women as an easier target. In the professional world, you’re expected to be silent so when you speak up, you’re being called aggressive. And this is something that applies to all women but I feel like for Asian women there is an additional layer of that.
How can we help and be better allies?
Joy: I think this is a key time for the Asian American community and its allies to speak up. But I also think performative activism is a problem. Posting or sharing on your Instagram or FB is not enough. Check on yourself, am I doing this to be performative or do I really care about people who are Asian American? I believe that anyone who is allying with the Asian community and women must do more beyond just posting on the internet. Get educated about Asian American history which is super oppressive, commit to engaging in conversations with friends and family members who may have outdated views.
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With Joy’s words at the forefront of our minds, we compiled the following list of resources to help guide us in educating ourselves, getting involved, and speaking out against AAPI hate. This list is by no means exhaustive and we would love for you to share more resources with us.
Asian Americans - A PBS five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever.
Ignoring the History of Anti-Asian Racism is Another Form of Violence - A must-read article published in Elle, written by Connie Wun.
AAPI Women Lead - A movement that aims to strengthen the progressive political and social platforms of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the US through the leadership of self-identified AAPI women and girls.
Hate is a Virus - a nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate.
Asian American Advocacy Fund - A grassroots 501(c)4 social welfare organization dedicated to building a politically-conscious, engaged, and progressive Asian American base in Georgia.
68 Ways to Donate in Support of Asian Communities - A list that spans categories, from assisting businesses impacted by COVID-19 to providing legal aid and education, to help the reader effectively donate money.