Addressing Racism within the Asian and Spiritual Community
TW: Racism, Anti-Blackness, Death
This post is about addressing anti-blackness and the recent trial of Rick Chow not being found guilty after murdering and racial profiling a 14 year old child, Cyrus Carmack Belton.
If you hadn’t heard the news Rick Chow, a 3 time offender, is an owner of the grocery store who falsely accused Cyrus Carmack Belton of stealing a water bottle, chased, and shot him in the back.
As a Southeast Asian and Spiritual Content Creator I want to address the racism in these Asian and Spiritual communities. For those who say, “why is everything about politics” it’s because everything is about politics! Racism in spirituality is a number 1, top tier concern! New age spirituality involves taking from mainly Indian, Black, Asian, Middle Eastern cultures and wrapping it up as a new age spirituality. To top it off poc who try to connect back to their spiritual roots were and are still shamed for this because we don’t follow the religion forced upon us. Let me say this I think it’s is odd that nonblack spiritual content creators don’t raise awareness or speak up about injustice around the world when we talk about connecting with people, community, and love. We talk about expressing who you are and facing the uncomfortable. So why not unpack and call out the racism, the ableism, sexism, and homophobia all the other things happening around us? We have to hold each other accountable I refuse to look the other way and be willfully ignorant. I also refuse to not speak up or at least raise awareness about the injustice we face. If you’re still reading this and saying “why am I political” quite frankly unfollow and block me. I made it abundantly clear that I want to create a safe space for everyone.
I want to address the Asian community (not just the Asian American diaspora but the entire global Asian community) of the disgustingly rampant racism, specifically anti-blackness within the community. I’m going to be so honest here, growing up in the Asian community there is so much anti-blackness and ignorance it was so sickening especially when it comes to the older generations; I’ll never stop calling it out and educating. It’s a common theme that the Asian community continues to perpetuate the same racism that white people give to black people. The racism and anti-blackness in the Asian community is so awful, like are we not embarrassed of it? it’s our part in the Asian community to address all the bigotry head on and hold the community accountable.
I understand why some black people don’t trust the Asian community to the point of boycott Asian owned businesses (I am in full support of the black community boycott Asian own business because they shouldn’t feel uncomfortable shopping there and it’s the fact that Asian businesses tends to profit off of black culture) and look at us the same as they do white people because of how common the Asian community tries to align themselves to whiteness, it genuinely feels like the Asian community is being brainwashed to hate other communities, especially the black community. To the people who are defending and applauding Rick Chow for “winning the case” is so disturbing, you’re saying that you’re happy and support someone murdering a child; that is so wrong and inhumane. For those who are saying “oh well he was holding a gun” that still isn’t a reason for someone to shoot a child! He was a 14 year old child! I am disappointed, that the Asian community is being silent. I am greatly and will always be disgusted of people who are being “neutral”, or are supporting (Racism) Rick Chow and his family. This is why we have to hold the Asian community accountable: we need to do better when it comes to addressing and educating racism (especially anti-blackness) so stuff like this doesn’t happen again. No one should be ashamed and killed for who they are, no matter the age. This is one too many times that another black child got murdered by someone from the asian community.
For those who are scared to speak up, I get being scared of confrontation but you have to remember you have a voice (obviously assess the situation to speak up because I know some people can be truly violent and aggressive, hence 3 time shooter Rick Chow). We cannot enable and turn away when things get uncomfortable, you have to think of racism like an infection: the longer you ignore it the worse it’ll become. This especially applies to Asian creators who have a platform: you have a voice and a community — do your part and put in the work, educate, and speak up! Time and time again the Asian community has hurt not just our own community (because let’s be real honest there’s not even solidarity within the Asian community; though that’s a thing for another time) but to other non-Asian communities especially the black community for the sake of upholding the model minority myth and trying to gain proximity to whiteness. Again we have to do better and not be spineless. There needs to be Justice for Cyrus Carmack Belton and support for the Belton family anyway we can. I want to add that our support shouldn’t just be for Cyrus Carmack Belton and his family, our support and accountability should extend and be for the whole entire black community as well as other minority communities, always and forever.
On my behalf of the Asian community, I want to apologize to the black community. I am sorry for the ongoing systemic racism and dehumanization of what Asian and nonblack people put you through. You shouldn’t have to prove that you are deserving to be treated and seen as human. You shouldn’t have to feel like you’re constantly isolated and fighting injustice alone. You deserve to live on this earth safely and peacefully. You deserve to be loved and be who you are freely. It’s our job as the Asian community to address the anti-blackness within the Asian community and outside of our community.
