Xiao Zhen Xie, 76, was waiting to cross a street when a 39-year-old man socked her in the eye. Despite pain and shock, she fought back. How shameful, these racist assaults against elders!
Race hatred first hit me at age 12. Boys yelling “Chink!” pelted me with stones as I ran away. Years later, my husband at work as a trainman was sucker punched, and choked. Racism has harassed us throughout our lives. Now in 2021 even more than 2020, Asian Americans are being spat on, bullied, punched, knifed, killed. With my face, age, gender and location, I’m a prime target too.
Combating this virulence, I’m inspired by Amanda Nguyen’s millennial activism… Grace Meng for speaking out against the bulls eyes being put on our backs… Trevor Noah for his impassioned analysis, pointing the way to solutions.
Asian Lutherans have urged ELCA action, resulting so far in a Day of Lament with Worship Resources and an Embodied Blessing on YouTube. On March 19 Bishop Eaton responded with this statement decrying violence towards the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community. Synod anti-racism teams are at work, as this “Waiting” article says. Interfaith allies like FACE (Faith and Community Empowerment) are telling the White House and elected officials what Asian America needs. (Want facts? See the FACE 84-slide report online.)
People can carry and spread racism without even knowing they got infected by it. In its most hostile forms, racism can leap out to injure, maim, kill. Can we mass produce an “anti-hate vaccine”? Yes, we can! In fact it’s at work today. It’s people taking part in anti-racism efforts, to chip away at a culture of violence —and replace it with a nonviolent culture where everyone can be safe and well.
For solidarity with Asian Americans, look into summaries, resource lists, interviews with popular actors/activists. Spark more hope and solutions with your presence, friendship, activism, funding. Leaders can organize educational forums/events, teach Asian American history and encourage race conversations. Educators can do what they do best.
What happened to Xiao Zhen Xie? Her story touched hearts. People gave her money. She gave it back to the Asian community, to fight racism. “The issue is bigger than I am,” she said. May God inspire us for our best actions too in this battle against racial hate!
— Lily R. Wu, a Chinese American Lutheran New Yorker, compiled LPF’s Women’s Initiative resources to stop violence against women and girls.