March 27th, 2021: An Open Letter
It might be a good idea to write an open letter to those who have learned how to hate Asians. Please feel free to share it if you think it is appropriate.
Asians have been living in North America since the California Gold Rush in the 1850s. Many of us were born here. Many of us are living in the reality of being bi-culture in our ways of life. Many of us are actually proud of calling ourselves Canadian or American before anything else.
We have integrated into many different facets of life in North America. It is a stereotype to think that we are only good at Math. If you look around, you see us in medicine, music, performing arts, business, sports, theology, philosophy, and more. We want to make a difference where we live. We want to have a contribution to Canada and the US.
Yes, we do eat with chopsticks. However, not too many of us know how to fight with them. We have no problem using forks and knives while enjoying a steak dinner, a flavorful plate of pasta, or souvlaki. No doubts that we use our hands with tacos, shawarma, and chicken wings. You might think we stick to our cuisines. Well, you are misguided. We just like food.
You might think we speak only our mother tongues. Many of our kids have cross-culturally married. Sometimes, when we have a Zoom session for my family, the official language is English so that everyone can participate.
We like to travel to many different parts of the world because we would like to learn from others. We are secure in our family history and tradition, and we don't feel superior not to study about other cultures. We want to learn because that is how we survived many hardships and challenges.
We have horrible habits and behaviors like any other cultural group. We have to deal with addictions, abuse, children and drug trafficking, and more. It would be a horrible mistake to think that Asians have got it together. We are suffering from the consequences of our own wrongdoings like anyone else.
So let us replace the language of hate with the desire to understand one another. We might not always agree, but that is exciting. Hate destroys what is beautiful within humanity. Hate is the language that kills joy and understanding.
1 Peter 3: 8-21
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
