Read on Twitter
THREAD:
seeing a lot of Asian Americans expressing concern & even condemnation towards the protests bc of what might happen to small businesses. I understand the perspective but want to break down what’s happening bc there’s a lot of history here & it’s complicated tbh
seeing a lot of Asian Americans expressing concern & even condemnation towards the protests bc of what might happen to small businesses. I understand the perspective but want to break down what’s happening bc there’s a lot of history here & it’s complicated tbh
to begin, I personally don’t think it’s particularly productive to further fuel this “us versus them” narrative— which is what you’re doing when you say you support the protests BUT not X, that you’re not racist BUT. there’s no room for caveats here.
also I want to establish that it’s been well documented across the various protests that the majority of protestors, especially Black folks, are NOT looting or vandalizing small businesses. they’ve been calling out the ppl that do— most of whom are suspected to be
(antifa, antagonizers, undercover cops, or yt people just getting reckless. That by no means is okay, but please don’t feed into harmful stereotypes by casting the blame on Black people, even unintentionally. But if protestors are looting small businesses too, let’s assess:
OKAY SO THE HISTORY: the LA Riots!! uncomfy topic right?? bc it was fucked up. A lot led up to it but re: the Asian community, it was the fatal shooting of Latasha Harlins, a 15 year old African American girl. by Soon Ja Du, a Korean store owner.
Soon Ja Du allegedly thought Harlins was trying to steal orange juice. She said didn’t see the money in the girl’s hand. This might seem unrelated to what I said this thread would be about but stay with me— Soon shot Harlins & she died. Racial tensions were already very high:
Let’s break down why. Black Americans resented Asian immigrants for coming in and setting up businesses in their communities— we talk a lot more about the predatory nature of POC setting up shop in a Black neighborhood now but that was how generations of Asians made a living.
Was it right? Not really. Was it intentional? I don’t think so. I think we were all doing our best to start new lives, achieve the “American Dream”. But here’s the difference: systemic racism is real & Black people have literally been set up with disproportionate disadvantages.
Asian immigrants didn’t succeed because we worked harder or smarter. We didn’t become the “model minority”, White people picked us to be that. They let us be that. And this myth has been used to drive a wedge between Black people and Asians ever since.
ANYWAY what I’m trying to say is that we need to recognize that Asian Americans have benefited from the system racism that hurts Black people. Especially when it comes to small businesses.
So while I truly don’t think that the protestors are out to destroy small, minority owned businesses the way some of you keep saying they will, I also think if they wanted to to make a statement, they have every right to.
I’m by no means an expert,and I’m open to discussing and learning. I just really think our priority should be supporting the Black community and this movement and NOT getting caught up in “calling out” concerns about our small businesses
My grandparents owned a toy store in the Bronx. My mom runs a dry cleaner. I get it. But I think some of us are losing sight of the fact that all of this is about saving human lives and that takes precedent over property and money.
On a last note, I did want to share a story I didn’t know until my mom told me today. When the LA Riots broke out, riots also broke out in New York. And my grandparents were terrified. They were the only Asian store owners on their block. Everyone was on high alert—
buying guns, hiring watchmen, etc. My grandpa struggled with English but had become v friendly with everyone in the neighborhood. One of the other business owners told him he would protect both of their stores, and he did. Nothing happened.
I grew up visiting their store. My grandpa would take me to get buttered toasted bread (idk how else to describe it but I swear it’s amazing) from the same shop every time & greet the owner with “my friend!” bc that was the extent of his English. Check in on all the neighbors.
They were a part of their community, & when things got heated, their community protected them. Obviously sometimes things or people get out of control, but for those of you so worried about businesses— is your business integrated into your community? Are you?
