China Overseas Chinese Network, June 3 Question: The racial scars are torn into pain that cannot be breathed. These overseas Chinese leaders are fighting against racism!
The continuing epidemic situation and the rising racial contradictions are dragging American society into chaos. As ethnic minorities, Chinese Americans are increasingly bearing the hostility and prejudice of American society when they suffer from the epidemic.
Ethnic scars are torn, who will protect the rights of Chinese Americans? When silence cannot avoid contradictions, when prejudice tends to be daily, it is time for the Chinese to break the silence and stand up to say "no" to racial discrimination.
Street view of Chinatown in downtown Washington DC on May 29 local time. China News Agency reporter Chen Meng Tongshe
Attitude should be expressed, rights and interests should be strived for, and communication should be closer. Since the outbreak of the United States, Chinese Americans have never been absent, and they have also waged war against racism while watching for mutual help in fighting the virus. The following voices of overseas Chinese leaders, I believe you must resonate.
Race issues are embedded in American genes
Racism has always been a persistent disease that has not been eradicated in American society. Minorities have long faced all kinds of explicit and implicit discrimination and inequality. The New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic just put racial discrimination "hidden in dark corners" on the table.
In an interview with China News Service reporter Li Bangqin, a well-known overseas Chinese leader, said that looking back on the history of Chinese immigrants in the United States, every step of the survival and development of Chinese Americans in American society is accompanied by the shadow of racial discrimination. From the mid-19th century when a large number of Chinese went to the United States to dig for gold and build railways, until today, Chinese immigrants have been fighting against all kinds of explicit and implicit discrimination. "Generations of Chinese immigrants use their hard work and hard work to expand their living space and fight for their rights and interests."
Zhang Sujiu, a well-known American overseas Chinese leader and honorary chairman of the Southern California Chinese Societies Association, said: "As a multi-ethnic country, racial problems in the United States have a long history. Affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, racial discrimination and xenophobia resurgence is back , Causing great harm to Asians."
Zhuang Peiyuan, former commander of the Los Angeles County Police Department and chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, said that although racial discrimination is prohibited by US law, the current acts of discrimination are still continuing. "The new crown virus is often referred to as the so-called "Chinese virus", which is typical discrimination, and we are very disappointed."
Political hype hurts Chinese
There are multiple reasons behind the increasingly frequent cases of racial discrimination, and the political hype of American politicians is an important one.
Fang Li Bangqin said that some politicians disregarded the facts to stigmatize China, concocted viral "conspiracy theories" and "originality" and other misleading Americans, and Chinese Americans first became the targets of racists to vent their anger. In addition, she believes that the current intensification of racial contradictions in the United States is also a projection of people's inner anxiety and inability to adapt to the psychological state under the dual influence of the epidemic and the economic recession.
Zhang Sujiu believes that some American politicians have used China to shirk their blame for “inaction” and frequently used discriminatory terms such as “Chinese virus” and “Wuhan pneumonia”. These misleadings have caused some people to vent their dissatisfaction to Asians and make American society The issue of fragile ethnicity is highlighted. "These politicians with ulterior motives should take responsibility for the current US xenophobia."
Teng Shaojun, president of the US-China Public Affairs Association, said: "The rise of China has left some American politicians with an unbalanced attitude. Instead of reflecting on their own competitiveness, they angered China and incited popular dissatisfaction, making Chinese Americans the most vulnerable. aims."
Let American society understand the contribution of Chinese
Since the mid-19th century, a large number of Chinese people went to the United States to dig for gold and build railways. Generations of Chinese immigrants have used their hard work and hard work to expand their living space and fight for their rights and interests. They have also made outstanding contributions to the development of American society. Under the current fragmented social atmosphere, it is particularly important for American society to understand Chinese Americans, face up to the contributions of Chinese Americans to American society, and promote friendly exchanges between different ethnic groups.
Fang Libangqin said: "I have lived in the United States for more than 60 years. I have seen more and more outstanding Chinese immigrants entering various industries in American society. The status of Chinese Americans has gradually improved, and many people have become "masters of the steering wheel" in their fields. The American society has made outstanding contributions."
Chinatown under the epidemic.
Take this anti-epidemic example. Fang Li Bangqin said that in the United States, there is an Asian American among every five doctors. Among the research team engaged in the research and development of new coronary pneumonia vaccines, one-third are Asian Americans. There are also many Chinese Americans in stores, logistics delivery and technical departments. "We are always ready to come forward when we need it, because this is our common epidemic."
Zhang Sujiu said that after the outbreak of the US epidemic, the Chinese-American group took the initiative to present masks and other anti-epidemic materials to the police station, nursing home and other institutions while doing their own anti-epidemic measures. "We have received many letters of appreciation, and many Americans have expressed their thanks to us through social media."
The Chinese deliver meals to frontline medical workers.
Lu Qiang, the founding chairman of the Chinese Association of Chinese Societies in Southern California, said that the performance of the Chinese community during the epidemic was remarkable. In the United States, Chinese Americans do their own protection, and the virus infection rate is very low, which will not cause chaos to the society. Secondly, Chinese Americans help local governments and hospitals to fight epidemic and epidemic prevention, and donate masks, gloves, and protective clothing and other epidemic prevention materials to the American community. The nationwide call for Chinese restaurants to provide free meals to medical staff and police who are fighting on the front lines has been unanimously praised by mainstream society.
Say "no" to discrimination
"No matter the current situation or the end of the epidemic, we call on American society to use rationality to bridge racial divisions, rather than fighting and retaliating against each other with fierce means." Fang Li Bangqin said that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic has made the American race problem prominent, and bridging divisions needs to be "solved" Not "confrontation".
Zhang Sujiu called on Asians to unite and fight against discrimination with integrity, and never be silent. "If you encounter discrimination, you must call the police immediately and use legal means to protect your rights and interests."
Lan Jin, chairman of the Oregon China Council, said that we cannot wait for prejudice to be lifted and should do something within our power. Everyone can explain the true situation to their friends and neighbors; at the same time, they can actively help the local anti-epidemic and use practical actions to prove the role and contribution of the Chinese.
Teng Shaojun said that Chinese people should not only abide by the laws and regulations, but also make good use of the law to protect themselves. In addition, they should make friends and join other minorities to resist discrimination. In the long run, the Chinese should integrate more deeply into the mainstream society, actively participate in politics, and then speak out for the rights and interests of ethnic groups.