STOP ASIAN HATE CRIMES

 

STOP ASIAN HATE CRIMES

In response to the growing number of attacks on Asian Americans and the increasing vitriolic hatred directed towards our Asian sisters and brothers, Spica and I searched for a way to fight back. As artists we respect the power of art to disseminate a message, and feel it is a great platform to give voice to the voiceless. We are particularly horrified at the number of attacks, particularly in New York, aimed at seniors. Many are protesting against these crimes on the streets, but we wanted to find a way to allow the elders in our community to express how they are feeling and have their voices heard. 

 

Today we held a zoom meeting with members of Homecrest Community Services and were pleased to see almost 40 people sign on. Don Lee, Board Chairman, opened the meeting and expressed his horror and sadness at the current situation, asking “what is the appropriate response to what has happened”? He wondered what he could say to his ancestors when he visits their grave this weekend, “they’re still killing us and worse…” In a recent discussion with local police, he told them that for the 18 years he has lived in the area he has never seen racism like it is at the moment. 

 

Mr. Lee said he wanted to expel the myths that Chinese don’t vote and that they are not united. He said that for over 24 years, the members of Homecrest Community Services have come together to demand justice, and always vote. He thanked the members for their support and for us in organizing the meeting.

 

Asked for their opinions the seniors commented, “Nobody is protecting us”, “I’m afraid to live here”, “Why would they hit an old woman?” “people are afraid, that’s why they closed the shop door and didn’t help” (in reference to the recent attack on a 65-year-old Filipino-American woman in NYC), “we should get together and protest”, “the reason people attack Asians is because we are not united”, “we live in a free country and we shouldn’t be afraid” and “Trump started it”.

 

One member spoke of having 2 kids chase her while calling her names. Another member spoke of her experience working as a home attendant for non-Asian Americans. She said they lack cultural understanding when they assumed Chinese had poor manners when they didn’t always respond. They don’t understand that we are shy and some of us don’t speak English. However, she also pointed out that these same people had commented on how they love Chinese because they are hard workers. She felt they were jealous of what Chinese people have achieved. 

 

Spica explained that we plan to use social media as our platform to raise awareness of “ending racism”. We shared examples of artwork we had created using our individual silhouettes as well as a group silhouette of our students. Attached to these images were words and phrases exclaiming an end to anti-Asian hatred. Seniors are invited to share their silhouette or a headshot if they prefer or any artwork, they feel is appropriate, via WeChat. We have created a thought provoking questionnaire, which seniors can use as inspiration for their comments, thoughts and feelings and then share with us via WeChat. Spica and I will create artwork from this material, which we’ll share on social media platforms. 

 

Our Asian-American grandmothers’ and grandfathers’ voices will be heard!!