NOTES FROM JIM
In recent months, thanks to a limited amount of reporting, many Americans are starting to become aware of violence targeting the Asian American community, but violence against Asian Americans is not new, in fact, violence has been directed at Asians throughout this county’s existence. The west coast, and particularly northern California, has seen the vast majority of these expressions of racism.
Now Asians are experiencing another rise in violence. For example, just last week, two Asian women, were attacked in the open on Market Street in San Francisco, and earlier a 91-year-old man was hospitalized as the result of an assault in Oakland’s Chinatown.
As the pastor of a predominately Chinese American congregation, I listen to members talk of their excitement about getting out in the world now that they are vaccinated and yet feeling that the shelter-in-place period for them has been extended because of the violence. There is fear in their voices—fear for themselves, for their parents, and for their children.
So, what can we do? Continue to explore the effects of racism on all non-white people, and explore how racism effects Asians in a unique way, just as it effects Blacks in a unique way, Hispanics in a unique way and Native Americans in a unique way. But as you explore ideas and feelings, you can also take action. For example, contact “Compassion in Oakland,” an organization responding to the increase in anti-Asian attacks (https://compassioninoakland.org/), where you can volunteer to chaperone anyone in Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood, and you can donate to support their work to create a safe environment in Oakland’s Chinatown.