Racism my Korean American family has experienced and continues to experience in the United States: A Thread.

When my mom was growing up, someone threw a beer can at my grandmother’s head from a car moving 60 miles per hour. She was on the ground for over an hour.

Due to the stereotypes of the “Oversexed Asian Courtesan”, my mother has been treated in the most vile ways. In front of me. Men have touched my mother inappropriately IN FRONT OF ME.

While I was inside, a man began touching his genitals and masturbating in front of her. When she asked him to stop, he said, “Oh, you don’t like this?”

Once, a man told my mother, “You better watch your back. I killed a bunch of you in Nam. I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it.” She came home covered in bruises.

While my mother was having my brother, they allowed her lungs to fill with fluid to the point she literally flatlined. She died. They had to bring her back and only because her friend was there. This is all because hospitals neglect women of color.

My brother inherited more “Asian” features than I did. My family got a call from my brother’s middle school one day. A child in his Cello class called him a “chink” and started a fight with him. My brother was blamed simply for defending himself.

I can’t count the instances of similar incidents that have happened to my brother on one hand. I can’t count them on even two hands. Someone put graffiti on his backpack. Another child started a fight with him in the hallway. There are too many to count.

I can’t count how many times that I’ve been asked if I’m, “from the North or South”. I can’t count how many times I’ve witnessed these events happen to my family...and not so much to me, only because I inherited “Dutch American” or “White” features.

Many of these instances don’t happen while I’m around because I can pass for white. My presence has literally assisted my family with their safety even as a child-because that’s how racism works.

As for the police? Sheriffs gave my mom two concussions. Now she has two brain lesions. I have to go with her to doctors appointments. Why? DESPITE MY MOTHER HAVING A BRAIN TUMOR THEY ACCUSE HER OF HAVING A MENTAL OR EATING DISORDER.

This is why your being an ally MATTERS. These people are our friends and family. These instances happen everyday. For you, consequences are minimal. For us, it determines the rest of our lives AND the lives of our loved ones.

The next time a person of color tells you they’re in pain or they want to talk, LISTEN. You have to sacrifice your momentary discomfort for our safety. Our lives literally depend on it. Only you can amplify our voices.

When we fail to amplify the voices of people of color, WE ARE FAILING.

“Saying you’re an ally is much easier than actually being an ally. Saying you’re an ally looks good on paper, especially if you’re never questioned about your inaction.”

#Fresh

http://guidetoallyship.com