Black Lives Matter — and I, an Asian, need to change my biases too
“I can’t breathe. Please, I can’t breathe.”
— George Floyd’s final words while pleading for his mother
On 25th May 2020, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis. Three white police officers were kneeling across his body, one of them namely Derek Chauvin on his neck, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while he was handcuffed face down and an Asian police officer named Tou Thao stood next to him.
He went quiet and lost consciousness. When the ambulance arrived, he had no pulse. Floyd was pronounced dead about an hour later in the hospital.
I am completely heartbroken.
And also embarrassed for my race, because an Asian police officer was there and yet he did nothing to stop Chauvin.
RIP George Floyd.
Upon the killing of George Floyd, the internet have got together over the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter, #BlackLifeMatters and #BlackoutTuesday. Protests break out all over the world even in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. Over 17 million people across the world have signed a petition for justice.
Throughout history, Black people have been enslaved, oppressed and tortured. What happened to George Floyd kicked off a campaign for human rights in order to eradicate violence and systemic racism against Black people.
But all lives matter?
I know. As an Asian myself, I have faced racism in the UK. As a woman in tech, I have had a hard time at work. My friends who are gay get shamed in public. People with a disability, mental illness or chronic pain struggle every day. And that’s not all.
Yes, every campaign is important. Different groups face different kinds of challenges and discrimination. But right now, Black people are being killed just for being Black.
People like me don’t get stopped by the police for riding an expensive car and get accused of stealing someone else’s car, or arrive home late at night and get accused of breaking into someone else’s home, or even just be out in public and get accused to be a crime suspect just because we look like someone on the run. Yes, these are things that happen to Black people. Regularly. All over the world. Therefore we, non-Black people, are privileged.
They’re not saying that Black people matter more than any others. They’re not saying that their lives are harder than everyone else’s. They’re saying that our skin colour isn’t one of the things that make our lives harder.
Now tell me, is that fair?
Right now the houses of Black people are on fire. And we need to come together to help put it out.
Wow… So what can I do to help?
First of all, please spare 9 minutes and 27 seconds of your week to watch this video. And while you do, keep in mind that George Floyd was kneed to the ground for only 41 seconds less than the duration of this video. Cruel, right?
If the video doesn’t work, you can watch it on this link (you don’t need an Instagram account to do so).
Upon my research and listening to my Black friends, here’s a few starting points on what you can do to help:
1. Wake Up
If you are not Black, you are privileged.
Racial inequality exists. Yes, even now in 2020, and even in your country.
And you are part of the problem. Of course, me included. Anti-blackness is a huge issue that needs addressed in the Asian community too.
If we can acknowledge this, if we can open up our minds, together we can take our first step towards a better world for everyone.
2. Re-educate yourself
Race is a social construct. Do you think babies are born racist?
Children would play with any other kids. They don’t look at skin colour. Racism is learned from their environment, from the people who raise them, from the media.
If we don’t stop and change our biases now, what kind of future are we creating for our future generations?
Listen to Black people and what they have to say. Very carefully. Let them lead the conversation. Never question the authenticity of their stories. How would you feel if you get robbed and people say that they don’t believe your story, or that you made it up to get their attention? It sucks, right?
Read up. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of books that have been recommended by my Black colleagues:
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race — Reni Eddo-Lodge
- How to be an Anti-Racist — Ibram X. Kendi
- White Fragility — Robin DiAngelo
- So You Want to Talk About Race — Ijeoma Oluo
- Me and White Supremacy — Layla F. Saad
- They Can’t Kill Us All — Wesley Lowery
- When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir — Asha Bandele and Patrisse Cullors
- Freedom is a Constant Struggle : Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement — Angela Y. Davis
- Don’t Touch My Hair — Emma Dabiri
- Natives — Akala
- Black and British: A Forgotten History — David Olusoga
If you don’t read, look up podcasts or videos on the subject.
Help re-educate the people around you. Again, race is a social construct. We need to get all in on this together.
3. Make a commitment
This isn’t something that should only be trending for a couple weeks then be forgotten about. We all need to make a continued commitment to play our part in removing systemic racism against Black people.
Question yourself in an alert manner. Are you biased whenever you’re interacting with a Black person? Are you making assumptions about them?
Don’t be a bystander. If you see racism in action, call it out. Especially if you are not Black, because chances are people will be more likely to listen to you. Laughing it off doesn’t make you seem cool. It’s not enough to just stand there and do nothing.
Be vocal about it. Use your privilege to amplify a Black voice. It’s better to say “I don’t know what I can do yet, but I want to change and contribute towards a better world” than not saying anything. It’s a first step in making Black people feel welcome and accepted around you.
Finally, I would like to again share this illustration.
The Black community is the one that needs extra attention right now. And hopefully our world can work towards removing the systemic barrier eventually.
But until then, let’s use our privilege to support the #BlackLivesMatter campaign. Let’s stand with our Black brothers and sisters. Let’s play our part in creating real change.
Here’s to a better world. A better world for Black people.
