Resilience Through a Cultural Lens

Kexin Zhang

Resilience i Re sil

ence

noun the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.

Types of Discrimination Asian Americans Face During the Pandemic

63.

Verbal Harassment

7%

7% 13.

%

16.5% Shunning

cal

si Phy

ult

a Ass

Onli

ne H aras

11%

smen

t

Civil Rights Violations

8.3%

Elderly Korean man was driving in his van near the corner of E. Washington and S. Central Ave in Los Angeles. A woman approached the van and started beating on the windows, yelling at him to go back to Asia and other negative comments about Asians. She yanked the windshield wiper of the car until it broke and damaged the car. The elder waited until she moved back to drive away and avoid further damage to the car.

He was not sure how to deal with the situation with his limited English speaking skills.

The victim was an elderly Asian grandmother using a shopping cart as a walker.

A man knocked her over and then kicked her shopping cart.

Anecdotes from standagainsthatred.org and stopaapihate.org

I was riding in the car with my father driving when suddenly a white Mercedes accelerated at full throttle through the oncoming lane to brake-check us to a complete stop. Upon reaching a complete stop the attacker got out of their vehicle and began yelling racial slurs while threatening to beat us up. After a slight back and forth, the attacker was about to come forth before I stood up, made my size apparent, and stated that I was a powerlifter. In response, they got back in their car and floored it before even putting their seatbelt on.

Despite knowing that I had a very high chance of winning a physical altercation due to my history, I now no longer feel safe anywhere I go. I can no longer comfortably drive with my windows down or go anywhere without a clear escape/fight plan. I have also lost many of my “friends” that ended up blaming me for the incident and vilifying me for my response. After living in my state for 24 years, I have gone against my best wishes and have decided to move to another country.

The Racial Impact of U.S. — China Relations on Asian Americans

The U.S./Asian international relations clearly connect to the treatment of Asians in the United States. The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the Islamophobia faced by South Asians after 9/11 are historic examples of how other Americans — due to their racism and xenophobia — scapegoat and discriminate against Asian Americans.

Similarly, U.S.— China relations have shaped the racial experiences of Chinese Americans. By invoking the Yellow Peril stereotype, that Chinese are outside threats to the U.S. and perpetual foreigners, policy-makers have both exacerbated antagonisms between the two nations and inflamed anti-Chinese hate.

A Center You must hold your quiet center, where you do what only you can do.

If others call you a maniac or a fool, just let them wag their tongues.

If some praise your perseverance, don’t feel too happy about it — only solitude is a lasting friend.

You must hold your distant center.

Don’t move even if earth and heaven quake.

If others think yoou are insignificant, that’s because you haven’t held on long enough.

As long as you stay put year after year, eventually you will find a world beginning to revolve around you.

— Ha Jin

王 风 林

Fenglin Wang

I had a conversation with my 86-year-old Chinese grandmother about the recent rise in AAPI hate crimes in the U.S. and how the Chinese-American community, especially the victims, respond to these attacks and why most of them choose to remain silent. She explained that forgiveness, tolerance, and selfsacrificing are all extremely valued traits in collectivist cultures, such as Chinese and other East Asian cultures. In collectivist cultures, people often put the needs of others above their own, which includes prioritizing the feelings of others even if it means making themselves uncomfortable and unhappy.

“原谅人家，我跟你说啊，这就 是中国人的一种过去的优秀的品 德，总是说要宽待人家，要原谅 人家，不要去跟他一般见识。我 们中国人跟西方人不一样，西方 人心里想什么，他都在态度上面 表现出来。他对你不满，他就说 出来。咱们中国人啊，就有一种 修养，就是说有一种包含人家， 原谅人家的文化。这就是为什么 中国人比较友好，宽容。这是我 们祖宗的品德。 “

Why do you think many of the elderly victims of AAPI hate crimes choose to keep a low profile and forgive their attackers?

“To be forgiving [towards the attackers], let me tell you, is a valued characteristic of our culture from the past. We were always taught to pardon others, to forgive them and to never stoop as low as them. Chinese culture is different from western culture, western people are more indivdualistic in their mentalities. If they are displeased with you, they will let you know. Chinese culture values being incluvise and forgiving, this is why many Chinese people have a friendly and tolerant demeanor. These are the values of our ancestors.”

— Fenglin Wang

“Do not surpress us anymore, we are equal to you.”

“你们不要再

我们是

打压我们,

是平等的。” — Fenglin Wang

Our silence does not mean that we accept your hate.

We are proud to be asian and we belong here.