The United States and Canada welcome "Asian Month": "Thaw" silence, break prejudice, unite and speak out to defend rights and interests

Beijing, 5 May (ZXS) -- The United States and Canada welcome the "Asian Month": "Thaw" silence, break prejudice, unite and speak out to defend rights and interests

China News Agency reporter Wu Kan

In May, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Asian Canadian Heritage Month are celebrated one after another, showcasing Asian American history and culture and commemorating their contributions. With the improvement of the strength and status of Asian American groups, they are more and more respected and recognized by the local society, but the prejudice and discrimination against Asian Americans have not been eliminated, and there is still a long way to go to defend the rights and interests of ethnic groups.

Diverse activities showcase diverse cultures

On May 5, local time, the drums in Montreal's Chinatown, Canada, shook the sky, lions soared, and drum bands of different ethnic groups played drums to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. According to the organizers, the diverse combinations of timbre and rhythm of various drums highlight the power of Asian unity and show the beauty of multiculturalism.

The Federation of Chinese Organizations in Toronto, Canada recently held a themed event "Promoting Multicultural Development and Combating Racial Discrimination", in which Chinese cultural and art groups performed folk dances and Hanfu shows in front of the Ontario Provincial House of Parliament. The Chinese Cultural Festival in Mississauga, Canada, was recently held in the celebration square in the city center, and opera, folk music and other programs were staged in turn.

In the United States, the second "Asian Pacific American Heritage Culture Parade" was recently held in Midtown Manhattan, New York, with more than 100 phalanx processions bringing unique cultural performances. The theme of this year's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in Los Angeles is "Unity is Strength," and local museums and libraries host exhibitions, lectures and workshops.

Politicians vindicate Asians

At present, the Asian community still faces the problem of racial discrimination. According to a survey released in late April by Columbia University's School of Social Work and the American Committee of 4, nearly three-quarters of Chinese Americans have experienced racial discrimination in the past 12 months. New research released by the Asian American Foundation, a nonprofit organization, shows that half of Asian-Americans feel unsafe in the United States.

Some politicians in the United States and Canada have spoken out to reiterate their anti-racial stance. At the Asian American Alliance's Asian Heritage Month Forum on May 5, U.S. Representative Zhaowen Meng said: "Asian Americans are regarded as 'permanent outsiders,' and to this day we often encounter the question of 'where are you from?'" ”

In a statement released in May, Federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Husson, said Canadian authorities are curbing all forms of racism through concrete actions such as the Action Plan to Combat Hate. Al Mibo, parliamentary secretary of the British Columbia Anti-Racism Project, also said in a statement that the authorities will not allow discrimination and hatred to run rampant and are doing their best to address racism.

Unite as an Asian voice

"'Apolitical and unspoken' has long been a stereotype of Asian Americans in American society, and prejudice and discrimination against Asians are still widespread. Asian ethnic groups have different languages and cultures, and only by uniting can we better raise their voices and get rid of the 'dumb' label. Yin Xiaohuang, a tenured professor at Western College in the United States, told reporters.

In Yin Xiaohuang's view, overseas Chinese have always been active on the front line of opposing Asian discrimination, fighting for their own rights and interests, and defending the interests of ethnic groups. "Overseas Chinese in the United States should actively participate in public affairs, enhance exchanges with mainstream society and other ethnic groups, increase voter turnout and actively participate in politics are also effective ways to increase 'visibility'; in addition, they must know the law, understand the use of the law, and bravely defend their rights when their legitimate rights and interests are infringed."

"Overseas Chinese in Canada have always made a lot of contributions to the local society, but many local people do not know about it, and Asian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all ethnic groups to increase understanding." Hu Xian, president of Symbiosis International Media, said that she participates in the celebrations of the Asian community every May, and overseas Chinese perform brilliantly, and Chinese dance, music and costumes always attract countless eyes.

In Hu Xian's view, Chinese people should better integrate into local society, and constantly improve themselves, such as being more refined in language, communicating more with other ethnic groups, and undertaking social responsibilities while doing a good job in their own careers, and helping more vulnerable groups. "In a multicultural society like Canada, where racism is inevitable, no one dares to speak up for it more than being discriminated against, and the Asian community needs to come together and fight against discrimination to the end." (End)