A new “yellow peril” threat to Americans of Asian descent

Posted on by Jade Moon
Rylie Ohashi.
Rylie Ohashi– All-American Girl

Remember something called the “Yellow Peril?” Most are too young to remember when Asians– from abroad and here at home– were seen as actual threats to Americans.  That particular form of bigotry appeared to be subsiding as more and more of us– Americans of Asian descent– knit ourselves into the fabric of American life.

The stereotype that dogged us was that we were too good. We were perceived as super-smart overachievers. We could live with that as long as we were able to maintain the illusionary comfort of being accepted, even assimilated.

It was nice while it lasted. Goodbye complacency. Say hello to our new reality.

Let me digress for a moment and introduce you to my smart, beautiful, talented, and good-hearted niece, Rylie Ohashi. Rylie lives in Boston, but she grew up in Mililani and she’s a Hawaii girl through and through. This means that until she moved to Boston, she was unfamiliar with certain of the more extreme aspects of Mainland culture.

I’m talking about the bigotry that we now know has always simmered below the surface of our idealistically “equal” society. That bigotry, barely hidden underground for so many years, has burst to the surface, aided by a complicit president and a worldwide pandemic.

Just yesterday I saw a tweet from CNN reporter Natasha Chen, in which she described being verbally assaulted by a man who told her to“get out of his f-ing country,” and accused her (and presumably all Asians) of being responsible for COVID19.

CNN correspondent Natasha Chen
CNN Correspondent Natasha Chen

The anti-hate group ADL (Anti Defamation League) reports that since January 2020, “there have been a significant number of reports of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) individuals being threatened and harassed on the street. These incidents include being told to “Go back to China,” being blamed for “bringing the virus” to the United States, being referred to with racial slurs, spat on, or physically assaulted. Statements by public officials referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus,” “Kung Flu” or “Wu Flu” — may be exacerbating the scapegoating and targeting of the AAPI community.”

Let’s be clear– I still believe the America I love exists. But sometimes–  increasingly– hateful voices and actions drown out what she stands for.

So let’s get back to Rylie. She recently posted on Facebook some very smart thoughts about her experiences and perceptions. I, as her aunt, feel an ache in my heart for her innocence lost.

I’ll let you read her words in full. And a warning for those who might object to salty language– it’s in there, but I’m not censoring. I will not hide or soften her reality.

What I’m especially proud of is the fact that Rylie isn’t content to declare a wrong. In the end, she urges Americans of Asian descent to take action.

One more thing. Notice I don’t say “Asian-American.” I’ve always thought of myself as just plain American. If you need a qualifier, fine. I don’t need one. This is the country where ALL are supposed to be created equal.

RYLIE’S WORDS:

I try to keep the content I post here light and positive with the occasional current event if I even post at all. Because of what I choose to promote I hope I’m not sending the message that I’m unaware of what is happening around the world or in our own neighborhoods and the severity of it.

Since moving to Boston I’ve been exposed to much of the passive-aggressiveness or even full-on aggression directed toward Asians (thankfully none that has ever been violent). And as a result of the racist acts happening by ignorance of  Coronavirus, I have never felt more insecure about going outside my apartment for fear of discrimination.

Over my time in this city I’ve been told or called a number of things that have conditioned me into being uncomfortable with my identity as an Asian American…go back to your country motherfucker, Asian cunt, Asian bitch, I don’t like Asians, go back to China/Harvard…granted, those were said to me by mostly crazy people but after seeing what’s happening now, I don’t think it’s unreasonable I’m anxious lately that someone might want to escalate from verbal attacks to physical.

I’m fortunate to not and hopefully never be a victim of the violence many Asian Americans and even Asians in other countries are going through, and I feel very blessed to have grown up in Hawaii where I never had to experience being attacked or harassed because of my race. I know there are others who haven’t been so fortunate. I am so sorry if you or someone you know has been assaulted just for looking Asian!

If you have experienced or have knowledge of a hate crime please report it! It won’t heal the physical or emotional wounds but it’s a step in the right direction for us as a whole.