02/06/2020
I moved over here 14 years ago from the Philippines and though I've gone back and forth, staying in Manila for a year or two and then coming back here, America has become home. It is home. My family is here. My husband is now here. Our dog is now here. And while I've shared my thoughts in my other account, I think it wouldn't be right, it would be disrespectful to not talk about it here too.
I don't know what it's like to be George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Christian Cooper, Ahmaud Arbery. I won't fully understand what they are going through. But here is what I know from history: They, for way TOO LONG have always been discriminated. They've been victims of injustices, racism has always gripped them. Their lives have always been at stake no matter what year, what era. I'm Asian living in America and though I experience discrimination every now and then, even I will never understand the trauma and everyday racism experienced by their community. Privilege does not only apply to whites. I come from a good family. I have never worried about hunger or homelessness or safety. That is privilege. I've never had to worry about schools, universities, workshops I want to take. That is privilege. My family has always been supportive of what I choose to do. That is privilege. I flew my dog here from Manila, that is privilege and I have never worried about walking outside with him. I talked to an aunt of mine and she shared the ordeal about my uncle having to be careful of what he wears when he walks the dogs outside. My uncle is black. I can't imagine how that must be like, to worry about walking in your OWN neighborhood because of the color of your skin. NO ONE should have to worry about that.
Just this week I discovered and I continue to learn about the various ways we can help and the issues that we need to fight for. I have so much more to learn, so much more research to be done. For now, I've shared in my stories what you can do as Asian Americans too. You live here. It is OUR collective responsibility to help end the system of racism that has failed the black community. Let's do our part. -France
