Attacks on Asian Americans are on the rise. Asians are being blamed for the emergence of Covid-19. Targeted are my own kind: the elderly Asians. The crime is being perpetrated not just in one location but in different parts of the United States. It is feared that the hate crime will only escalate in the coming days and months. I’m bracing myself!
In Chicago where I reside, an elderly Asian man was attacked in broad daylight in Chinatown. The latest (as of this writing) happened in New York subway where an elderly Filipino was slashed on the face with a box cutter. In San Francisco an 84 year-old Thai man was attacked and killed while taking a walk at a neighborhood street. In San Jose California an elderly Vietnamese woman was attacked and robbed. In Oakland, California (Chinatown), the brutal attack on a 91 year-old man while walking by the side street was caught on surveillance camera. It is believed that there are many other incidents of hate crimes against Asians that are not reported.
If you think that attacks like these are just happening in big cities, that’s wrong. In Naperville, Illinois -west suburbs of Chicago just next town from where I live, there was an incident involving an elderly Asian man. The 61-year was attacked by two women while jogging. He was pelted with stones, logs and sticks, called out racial slurs, spat on and was told “to go home” to China.
A reporter noted that two thirds of hate crime incidents are perpetrated toward non-Chinese Asians.
In New York City police data shows there were 24 anti- Asian hate crimes related to the the corona virus between January 1- November 29, 2020, compared to only three anti-Asian hate crimes in the same period in 2019. It is believed that xenophobic comments by powerful politicians has fueled the hate crimes.
Consequently, elderly Asians are forced to avoid public places for fear of their lives….and that includes me. I perfectly fit the profile: elderly Asian. I can easily be spotted in a crowd, short, brown skin, grey hair. I’m an easy prey!
What’s being done?
Increase attacks in New York prodded the NYPD to organize Asian Hate Crimes Task Force.
In Oakland, California residents are not just relying on the police force, communities are organizing to reduce crime in their neighborhoods.
Victims are encouraged to report incidents.
President Joe Biden signed a memorandum denouncing xenophobic attacks. (I wonder what’s really being done)
My personal Response
I am saddened, disheartened, frustrated and scared!!!!
When I took an oath to be a citizen of this country, I felt proud to be living in the “land of the free and home of the brave”. I am really enjoying that freedom in many aspects of my life . However, the escalated xenophobic climate in America has taken a big chunk of that “freedom”. Fear for my life is robbing me of that bravery.
Alas, indeed! Gone are the times where I would hop on a Metra train to go to Chicago downtown. When I reach the Ogilby station, I would stop by the foodcourt and order several burgers and fries. Then I would freely and leisurely walk around and find some street friends. It wouldn’t take too long before my meager supply is gone. I wish I had more burgers and fries to share so I could walk a little farther down Canal Street and maybe turn around Monroe.
Gone are the times when I would prefer to walk from the Ogilby train station to Michigan Avenue to pay a visit to the Philippine Consular Office and along the way drop a buck or two to a panhandler’s cup and strike an interesting conversation.
Those were precious enjoyable moments that may not come again.
Should I really be scared? Should I be paranoid? Will I imprison myself within the walls of my house and perimeters of my yard? That would be a terrible life!
I’ve preached many a times on the subject of fear. I have used a number of Bible verses to teach and expound on the theme. So while I’m locking myself up in the comfort and safety of my home, I’m reviewing these lessons that I may apply them in my current situation.
My personal encounter with a (bigot)?
Every summer, my church schedules an event at a public park. We would reserve and pay (well ahead of time) a picnic shelter to conduct an outdoor worship service followed by a picnic. While setting up the place, a woman came by and asked me: “Hey, how long are you guys staying here? We need this place!” Surprised with what I heard (and how it was said) I wasn’t able to respond immediately. And when I was about to answer she forcefully interjected and said with a voice of contempt : “Oh! Never mind, I’ll find someone who understands and speaks English.” And while she was turning away, I thought I heard her say some racist slur.
This encounter is nothing compared to what had been done to other Asians. There was no bodily harm perpetrated. Nevertheless, it may leave an emotional scar. But the recognition of human depravity and ignorance had led to understanding and forgiveness. Hence, the harm intended had no effect on me.
“Lord forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
myJOURNEY 