So anyone who knows me well, knows that I am very passionate about social justice and racial/ethnic relations. I’m particularly interested in learning about the commonalities between the Asian American, Latino, and black communities. Now, I wasn’t as open-minded back in the day as I am now – I was actually scared of black people. But this was what I learned from my parents and by society at large as I was growing up. I was fortunate, though, to be exposed to a number of opportunities in college that made me step out of my comfort zone. Joining a multicultural sorority (Theta Nu!) and learning more about my own culture and history through Asian American courses at UT were two of the main stepping stones that started this process of change for me. I find that it’s my charge now to educate others, or at the very least, to challenge their way of thinking. Seeing how my parents immigrated here from Vietnam to the U.S., how they worked their asses off to raise my siblings and I in a good home, and seeing how other immigrants and people of color are exploited in the U.S. gives me more reason to continue the work that I do. That being said, I have no tolerance towards blatant, racist comments.
I don’t really associate with raging racists; and in my circle of friends, fortunately, no one is like that. But, they could still have preconceived notions about different groups – race is always going to be a complex and controversial matter – that is almost always going to be the case when you are raised and influenced by specific factors. I can certainly say I’m more aware than some of my friends about race issues but shit, I study this for a living so of course, I’m going to be more acutely aware of my surroundings and put on my critical analysis glasses when I feel the need.
So when it comes to raging racists, I have to bite my tongue or get someone to hold me back because I get that close to punching that bitch in the throat. There is a friend of a friend of a friend who has a tendency to say some really hateful stuff and it just blows my mind how you can judge someone based on their skin color.
She won’t hang with you if a black person or a Mexican (I really hate the word “Mexican” by the way) person is going to be with you. Shit like: “I’ll pass because Mexican people scare me” or “That black person must have some watermelon and fried chicken.” She isn’t the only one who shares these same opinions – there are plenty of racist people out there; but in my life, she is the closest one I’ve heard about who says these outrageous things. In the bigger picture, she continues a vicious cycle of pitting minorities against minorities when really minorities are up against a system that supports white privilege.
So the big question is: How do I approach this person when it takes every living thread in my body NOT to punch her in the ovaries?
-Diane
