Lily Tang, Braintree High School
Like the Asian American Movement in the 60s, we are still trying fighting for our rights as Americans and to change the perception that Asians are perpetual foreigners. Especially with the political and social climate in our country with the election, it is easy to see everyone’s differences rather than see our common humanity.
This issue is particularly prominent for Asians, as even in history we were seen as outsiders. This is exemplified by the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Japanese Internment, as in both cases Asian Americans were treated as undesirables and as the “enemy.” This perception carries over to today as phrases like “go back to China” and words like “Chink” is continuously used to target and harass Asians. The increase in harassment after the election- as documented on social media by people who have experienced this blatant increase of racism- highlights how so much further we as a nation needs to go in terms of understanding how the definition of “American” is not synonymous to white, but is inclusive of people of all race and ethnicity.
As a community, we should continue to promote intersectionality and allyship because it is important to be unified in our movement; it is to create connections between our experiences as Asian Americans- from Chinese to Indians- and recognize that everyone’s stories are unique but the underlying struggle for equality and representation is not. It is also important to celebrate diversity and having national and grass root organizations that highlight that in the community.
We need to aspire to empower others and also be empowered ourselves and learn and be more connected by our struggles and our successes. Spaces provided by organizations like the Commonwealth Seminar highlights this inclusive approach as it welcomes people of all colors and gives them the tools to create change. We need to recognize our power as Asians and Asian Americans and know that we are not a “second class” people but that we have the ability to attain the American Dream, too.
It is vital that we tell the future generations of Asian Americans that they are not limited in their success and they should always aim for the stars. Personally, my goal is to continue to work with the nonprofits in Boston Chinatown and be an advocate for the Chinatown community. In college, I would like to work with youths and help them become more engaged with their communities and help them recognize their strengths as leaders. Additionally, I want to be an example for the younger Asian Americans like my nieces and nephew and show them that they are Americans and that they have every right to dream and fulfill those dreams. In general, I want to emphasize service in whatever work I do and build stronger relationships with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds in order to build bridges between the communities.
