I Look White But Anti-Asian Coronavirus Racism Still Isn't OK Around Me
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Look White But Your Racism Still Isn't OK Around Me

Just leave out the fact that someone is Asian when you're referring to social distancing, please.

168
I Look White But Your Racism Still Isn't OK Around Me

I'll say it again. I look white, but your racism isn't OK around me. Your racism is not OK, period. But don't think I'll just sit around and listen to you making racist comments about Asians with regards to coronavirus (COVID-19), especially with me being Asian.

I had read about people blaming Wuhan residents for causing the pandemic. I had read about people's apprehension of supporting Chinese businesses. These ignorant thoughts had seemed only to be from the internet, somewhere distant where you could turn them off and they couldn't bother you. However, just as sure as the global spread of the coronavirus, the negative comments against Asians have traveled the world to New York.

It was mid-March, the start of the quarantine in New York. At this point, the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City couldn't come to an agreement on how drastic the situation was. In all the uncertainty, the only thing I knew was that my workplaces made the executive decisions to keep their employees home, so I was out of work. Without any family for thousands of miles, I knew I would be completely alone throughout the crisis.

At the beginning of the mandatory self-isolation, I chose a few friends I could trust to stay with. I live with an elderly man so I wanted to give him space until he left to quarantine in sunny Florida. I felt safe in these early days — no one interacted with strangers, no one left the house except to get fresh air and food. We even sat apart within the house.

We bonded over video games and several cases of White Claw, as millennials tend to do when they can't go to a bar. And then there was one little drunken joke that stung. A friend of mine told a story about running to 7/11, which is next to a Chinese restaurant. He told a story that he saw some Chinese people in the parking lot, as well as a man talking on his phone as he walked up to the convenience store. The man made a point to keep his distance from them because they were Asian. Obviously, anybody in any public setting is someone to stay clear of in a quarantine, so why even mention their race? My innate response was to blurt out that it's not cool to mention the fact that they're Asian or Chinese.

Fast-forward to when my roommate safely made it to Florida. I started cooking comfort meals at home to share with my tiny squad. It turns out that they are primarily Asian dishes. I bought all the ingredients for fried rice and stir fry. I found a black bean sauce to make my favorite chicken dish. I even convinced them to take a trip to the nearest Asian market, which is an hour away, so I could cook up my family's sought-after lumpia, or Filipino-style egg roll.

Upon arrival at the market, EDM masks and gloves came on. I didn't have any of my own, so they insisted I wear theirs. I appreciated their concerns for me and their safety. However, the comments spewing in the parking lot as I put on my gear are still ringing in my ear, days later. I almost cried for my family thinking to write this.

There was a woman separate from the group nearby, going up to a different store. "Make sure you keep those masks on because the coronavirus can live in the air for a few hours. Especially because we're going into an Asian place."

What do you mean, especially?

I'm Asian and I'm going into an Asian market, but I don't look Asian so it's OK to make comments like that? Was this woman's comment what people say when my mom or uncles or cousins or grandparents step foot in public to buy food? Again my innate reaction was to defend Asians, especially the fellow Filipinos who ran the market, despite how that the woman was right about wearing masks in public, period.

The negativity subsided when I walked into the market. I immediately felt like I was home. A menu filled with meals only my lola (grandma) could whip up clouded my mind. I ordered pancit palabok and lugaw to go, two meals that I crave but have not yet mastered. I forgot why I was even in the store... oh, yes, egg roll wrappers! We were the only ones in the store aside from the workers, and I felt comfortable to be assisted by my friends behind the counter who are from the same city in the Philippines as my mom. It wasn't until dinner that I really processed how many racist comments are passed off nonchalantly throughout this pandemic. It's something I'm still trying to process.

I'm super appreciative of having these people in my life, and I don't know what I would do without them. I hope more people can understand that level of love and compassion toward other races, cultures and other groups outlying from their own.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56923
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36701
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958481
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189657
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments