There is a tendency for Asian Americans to be very passive when it comes to politics.
Maybe it stems from culture back in the old country. Maybe most people don’t feel like effects them.
But we should care. And we should participate. And this is why.
Asian Americans have existed on the North American continent as long as all other non-Native American groups. However, the history of exclusion of Asian Americans spans almost the same amount of time. From laws that barred immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere to social intolerance even after repealed laws, Asian Americans struggled to be seen and treated as equals. They realized that they weren’t the only group seeking recognition and found strength in numbers when they worked with other minorities.
Back then, plantation owners hired many different groups of people to encourage segregation and to prevent the workers from working together. However, even after their efforts, many people would interact, which created pidgin languages between groups that still exist today.
During that time, there were small victories that are lessor known such as the Oxnard Strike of 1903. Japanese and Mexican labor workers worked together to demand for changes. Since they were successful, they applied for for an American Federation of Labor charter. Unfortunately, because the president off the AFL would only grant them a charter if they did not include any Japanese laborers, they refused and insisted that they would not leave their brothers. #loyal
Look, Asian Americans have not been treated fairly or equally for a long time, but it seems like we have forgotten. Well, this is a reminder that the Immigration Act only happened in 1965. Legally we are accepted but socially are we really? This week alone, an elderly Chinese grandpa was killed and a Korean grandmother attacked. We must work with our brothers and sister for equality. It’s been long past the due date to chime in. Get involved.
We are American, and it’s time to show it.