On Stereotypes, AAPI Communities, Generational Trauma, and Divisions Created by White Supremacy
I want to take a minute today to touch on anti-Blackness from AAPI communities operating within the confines of white supremacist ideology. And I'm only going to take a minute because I have better things to do with my time and energy today than to unpack all of this for free.
Many people of color, a lot of folx from AAPI communities, have demonstrated their anti-Blackness to me or in front of me on numerous occasions. They tend to jump on my posts about my experiences with racism and white supremacy and aim to check or educate me. The goal is to silence me or scold me. If I'm honest, these incidents are pretty regular occurrences, and there are too many to count. While white folx tend to be the largest segment of people who wield their white supremacy to "check me," the runners-up are Japanese, Korean, and Chinese professionals. I talk more about the anti-Blackness I receive from white folx than from Japanese, Korean, and Chinese communities, as white comments and incidents are daily and Japanese, Korean, and Chinese comments and incidents are weekly. But we're going to talk about it today because I woke up to the post you see below this morning in response to Monday’s opening thought post.
I know the "model minority" myth and the pain it has caused for so many AAPI communities. I understand, and I'm always learning more layers of the generational trauma that many AAPI communities are grappling with at the hands of white supremacy. I also know how many folx from AAPI communities have adopted white supremacist ideologies to survive in a hostile, white-centric world. And because of this, even when you aim your hate at me, I still feel compassion for you. Why?
Because your anger and hate have nothing to do with me.
When you use stereotypes to silence Black voices or blame us for being harmed by whiteness and our generational trauma, I know that you've got generational trauma you need to unpack and process.
When you try to use one Black person being mean or hateful to you as the "standard" for every Black person you meet, I know that you've got generational trauma you need to unpack and process.
When your advice to Black people is to be more docile and less of a stereotype, I know you've got generational trauma you need to unpack and process.
And I know because Black communities in the United States, in white western culture, have got a lot of generational trauma to unpack.
You aren't alone.
The difference is, I'm not going out of my way to diminish your experiences, your trauma, to adhere to white supremacist ideology that isn't offering me non-existent protections.
I can't speak for all of the Black and AAPI community relations in the United States. I know racism toward AAPI communities from Black communities exists. And vise-versa. I've seen and had to check Black folx for using anti-Asian rhetoric and hate as weapons against AAPI communities. Hell, you've seen me do it on this page. The truth is if you aren't white in the United States, you've been pitted against other races for generations in a battle created by the weight of oppression and trauma. That's how white supremacy operates: division and the hope of false safety and privilege. As people of color, as Black communities and AAPI communities, we can continue perpetuating this violence, or we can be the generation that starts unpacking why we're so divided when we are not each other's enemy.
I think y'all know where I stand.
I don't pray, but I'm going to ask my homies that do pray to include Ding in your prayers today. Let's wish him no hate but healing and the opportunity to unpack his perceived privilege and trauma.
I hope those prayers trickle down to others who need them.
[Image description: a screenshot of a comment posted on my LinkedIn by a gentleman name Ding Fu. It says the following:
“Pharoah, I am an Asian so neutral in this Black vs. white discussion. Here is my take:
I have observed more crime in person by Black people in a mostly white city
I have observed more gangster style among Blacks, e.g. playing really loud and vulgar music, wearing clothes where their underwear is showing, etc.
Being really rude and loud and even making fun of me being a small Asian
I have had few Blacks at work who were extremely nice but they are minority in comparison.
I feel Black community likes to blame whites but doesn’t want to look inwards. This victim mentality only generates anger and resentment instead of focus on improvement. Here are things to focus on:
Don’t promote gangster culture including vulgar music and clothing
Counter crime by helping Black communities focus on education
Teach Black people to be nice to others smaller than them"]
Image description: a screenshot of a comment posted on my LinkedIn by a gentleman name Ding Fu. It says the following:
“Pharoah, I am an Asian so neutral in this Black vs. white discussion. Here is my take:
I have observed more crime in person by Black people in a mostly white city
I have observed more gangster style among Blacks, e.g. playing really loud and vulgar music, wearing clothes where their underwear is showing, etc.
Being really rude and loud and even making fun of me being a small Asian
I have had few Blacks at work who were extremely nice but they are minority in comparison.
I feel Black community likes to blame whites but doesn’t want to look inwards. This victim mentality only generates anger and resentment instead of focus on improvement. Here are things to focus on:
Don’t promote gangster culture including vulgar music and clothing
Counter crime by helping Black communities focus on education
Teach Black people to be nice to others smaller than them"