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as an asian american living under an anti-black asian family, i would like to contribute to the discussion of other asian american kids who have a hard time discussing racism and the blm movement with their own families whether it& #39;d be due to fear, backlash, safety, etc.
my family is no stranger to whitening creams / soaps. my family always told me to date only white men, or asian men, and never black men. they believe in the stereotype that all blacks are "thugs" or "criminals."
the most important thing i want to address to people who have a similar family to mine: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DEFEND YOUR FAMILY. we are all adults. they meant what they said. you dont need to come up with excuses for them. you dont speak for them, and THEY DONT SPEAK FOR YOU.
it is also important to keep educating yourself and stay informed. i had said and thought many things in relation to anti blackness because i followed family through example, and i deeply regret ever having the mindset i had shared with them. stay informed. know their history.
to people who are genuinely afraid of calling your parents out for racism: it is understandable, but it SHOULD NOT be an excuse to stay silent. dismantling racism at home can be VERY DIFFICULT when encountering DEEP ROOTED values. BUT -
a) it shouldnt stop you from trying, and b) there are so so many resources on how to stand in solidarity with the black community without being on the front lines. advocate on social media, sign petitions, donate if you can, alert friends and protesters with what you see online
block your parents off your instagram story, they wont know!! use your stan twitter account.. something! anything! silence / giving up is NOT one of those alternatives.
my family raised me to be afraid of them. they thought they could turn me into a god-fearing tr*mp supporter too. but i know that as a member of my generation, i cannot stay silent. i know, and you should know, that what your family says, does not define you.
what DOES define you, is what you do for our black brothers and sisters and friends.. your community.. this country. its okay to give up on teaching your bigot parents if theyre VERY adamant on being anti black. this is not their generation. but YOU do not need to be silent.
everyone is promoting conversation with their asian parents about blm which is amazing, but i dont see too many resources on how people with VERY anti black family members can still stand in solidarity while protecting themselves from their parents.
this thread may or may not be a hot take, and as a non black poc i am still learning how to help advocate, but i am listening - please educate me if anything i have said is out of line both from the black and asian american community
also, if ur friends with someone who has parents like this - pls understand that it may be difficult for them to physically disassociate themselves from their family. separate them from their family& #39;s views if they r genuinely trying to be active. some of us still live w them too
