Unpacking My Asian Privilege
Privilege can take many forms. Understanding what it means and how it applies has been uncomfortable but important.
I’ll be the first to admit, before this week’s events, I didn’t really understand Anti-Blackness or police brutality. I didn’t think I was uncultured or naive. My problem was that I haven’t cared enough to learn.
This first started when I noticed an influx of social media posts and reposts of aesthetic graphics about #GeorgeFloyd or #blacklivesmatter.
I’m ashamed to admit that I was one of those people. I reposted because I felt something, but I didn’t know what it was or what to do about it. Instagram sure made it easy to click “share on your story”.
Now though, I’m learning.
What I Thought Was Privilege
The dictionary definition of privilege is a right or immunity granted as a particular benefit, advantage, or favor. Growing up, I always thought that privilege meant someone’s born into a richer family, had the “athletic”, “smart”, or “good-looking” genes.
But, privilege is much more than this.
I was born into a middle class family. Even though I’ve lived in both the US and Asia, I’ve attended public schools my entire life.
I’d say I have average athletic abilities, average intelligence, and average looks. Is this privilege? Not by that definition.
As I am starting to educate myself about our communities, I want to recognize and acknowledge my privilege — it just comes in a different form.
Realization #1
I recently watched this video where Black parents teach their children how to respond to the police.
“People of color have always been a target of the police” — from video
The parents are sharing stories of being handcuffed for something they didn’t do and arrested for no reason. These parents are describing to their 8 year olds why such unfair and unexplainable situations have happened to them. They are warning their children that this might happen to them too.
They’re already having these difficult but imperative conversations. For their children, it could be the difference between life and death.
I am 21 years old. I am Asian-American. I have never had this conversation with my parents.
If anything, my parents have only told me the usual “don’t talk to strangers”.
This is privilege.
Realization #2
One of my high school history teachers is a white woman married to a Black man. I remember her telling us about her winter vacation. She flew from Asia to the United States to visit her family.
“We always go to the airport 4–5 hours in advance…” Wow, I thought. That’s insane. She must be the super ultra prepared type.
“…because my husband always gets stopped at the airport. Even though he’s traveling with me, who’s obviously a white lady. We always make sure he’s clean shaved and wears a shirt with a collar.”
My teacher goes on to explain that even with these precautions, TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will always stop them to conduct a random search.
If these searches happen every time, is it still random? More like “random” — intentional searches by TSA targeted towards certain demographics.
If you’re not Black or Brown, I’d bet that you don’t consider the state of your hair and clothing when traveling. At most, you’d consider weather appropriate and comfortable clothing to wear.
I travel internationally at least twice a year, and I have never seen a White or Asian person be subject to a “random” search.
This is privilege.
Realization #3
I watched another video about the life of privilege explained in a $100 race.
For every statement that applies, you take a step forward. With every statement, the gap between White and Black kids widened.
“It’s only because you’ve been given a head start that you’ll possibly win this race called life. Nothing you’ve done has put you in the lead.” — from video
If I were in that race, for every statement, I would’ve taken a step forward.
This is privilege.
Re-evaluating the Meaning of Privilege
Earlier this week, when I first reposted a graphic of George Floyd, I felt incredible sadness and guilt knowing that if I were in his position the outcome would likely have been different.
Why?
Because I’m Asian and we don’t have the same kind of prejudice held against us.
- Privilege is not worrying about my physical safety when the police approach me.
- Privilege is not being a criminal suspect for the way that I look.
- Privilege is every opportunity I’ve been given in life just because of the circumstances I’ve been born into.
All of this and more is most definitely a privilege. Just because you don’t recognize those privileges doesn’t mean you don’t have them.
This past week, I’ve been unpacking and understanding my privilege. This has been uncomfortable, but I know this is important.
As an Asian American, I don’t think I will ever truly understand what it’s like to live with Black skin. What I do know is that I can take actions and educate myself and others to help fight this systemic oppression.
While race not being ‘a thing’ is ideal, we have to face the fact that in this country it is. — Rachel Cargle
Performative activism is not enough.
This type of activism means that the act is void or meaningless. Earlier in the week, my reaction to repost a random graphic was an act of performative activism. I didn’t understand why I was reposting, why this movement was started, and why this mattered to me. Social media makes it extremely easy to engage in performative activism — don’t be one of those people.
Here’s what I am personally doing to take action:
- Learn — This is only the beginning. I’m committed to spending my time in the next month to on Black literature and films that I hope will teach me more about the Black community. I will continue to learn more about Black history and Black culture.
- Listen — I’m reaching out to my Black friends to check in on how they’re doing and feeling. I’m listening to what Black folks have to say when I read and watch articles and videos.
- Educate Others — It’s difficult to have these conversations with others. To bring up this conversation with apathetic people, those who think this doesn’t apply to them and it doesn’t matter. It does matter and the least I can do is to try. I’m starting with my younger sister, my family, and my closest friends.
I know that this list is not comprehensive — it’s a start. I also know that my actions cannot stop even when these issues are no longer on the front page of the news.
If you’re tired of hearing and reading about racism, guess what, others are tired of living it.
#blacklivesmatter