I wish #StopAsianHate didn’t exist.
It’s been one year since our lives drastically changed.
I say “our lives” because the pandemic hit differently for everyone, everywhere. For me, it was the moment the gyms closed, the grocery stores emptied out, masks came onto the scene, and life as I knew it ended.
I remember just taking it all one day at a time. Would we be back in the office soon? What about that photoshoot we had planned for next week? You know, just like simple stuff. At this point, all I really knew about Coronavirus was that it originated in China, but I didn’t really think twice about it.
Unfortunately, this was the beginning of a a surge in hate crimes against Asians.
I didn’t want to believe it at first, and the media didn’t really cover it, so it was easy to brush off or forget about. But the reality is, just because you don’t hear about it, or just because it didn’t happen to you, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
I normally use my platform to speak about all things fitness and health – but I cannot stay silent on this matter any longer.
You see, many Asians are taught to lay low, put our heads down in the face of controversy, and fight back only by working hard – never by raising our voices or our fists. I’m Chinese Vietnamese American and I was taught to be silent. Be grateful.
In fact, a couple months ago, when I first wanted to post about the 91-year-old Thai grandpa who got murdered in the streets of Oakland Chinatown or the innocent Filipino father who got sliced in the face in a NYC subway, I asked my parents for their thoughts. Their first reaction? They looked down and shook their heads. I could see sadness in their eyes, (especially because Oakland Chinatown was a special place for my family, we grocery shopped there every weekend) but they didn’t want me to make a fuss about it. They said it was probably all random events. They didn’t want me to upset anyone.
But just this past week, with the mass shooting, and the continued crimes, my dad came to me. He asked if I could help.
*****
For anyone who is debating “but was it racially motivated?” or “but _____ have it worse!” can you please stop?? Like, stop operating on a race level for a second and look on the human level. INNOCENT HUMANS ARE BEING KILLED. Kids now don’t have mothers. Husbands will never see their wives again. Or is it too hard to feel? Is it more fun to fight?
I am constantly SHOCKED when I read the comments under news stories. It’s full of hate. I see blame shifting. I see racist assumptions. I see people “standing up” for others by pushing others down. I see people comparing atrocities like it’s some type of game.
If you want to know how I feel about all of this, here it is: When we can’t work together, we all lose. Because as we become more divided, hate wins.
So yes of course, let’s #stopasianhate! I honestly cannot believe some of these personal stories that you guys have shared with me. It’s only a small fraction of the hundreds of heart breaking DMs flooding in. But also, please, let’s work on stopping the hate towards ANY group of people. Let’s focus on the real evil here – our lack of understanding for one another.
Below, I’ve shared some of the heartbreaking stories that your fellow POPsters have personally DM’d me. These are real people, real stories, and everyday experiences. If you don’t know what to do to #stopasianhate, please begin simply by taking the time to read the stories below.
Sending love, strength, and resilience to all those who shared their stories.
If you have a story you want to share, please comment below. ❤️
24 thoughts on “I wish #StopAsianHate didn’t exist.”
There are 24 comments posted by our users.
I think you’re a beautiful warrior princess🤗❤️(Inside and out)! You inspire me every day! I luv you positive energy and outlook. Your smile always makes me smile! GREAT ROLE MODEL! The colour of our skin should be insignificant.🥺
Wow! Just whoa!! I have Asian AMERICAN friends, and I am SO SORRY that anyone has to suffer this kind of racist, horrible hate! Thank you ALL for sharing your stories, your truths. You are ALL so much braver than you know! Keep your heads and your spirits up! Please know that not all white people are racist, but that does NOT excuse anyone who is! So sorry y’all have to suffer this on top of the pandamndemic! Sending tons of love and positivity your way!!
And by American, I mean we are all American, and NOONE should have to suffer any racist, idiotic, and just plain disgusting remarks!!
Oh my word! These stories make me SO mad! I can’t believe people treat other people like that. And to blame Asians for this is absolutely ridiculous. People need to stop watching the news and look at the real science! This is a virus that 99.8 percent of people survive without major treatment or any lasting repercussions.
It makes me very sad that governments and media are fomenting fear and division and hate. It makes one wonder what the real reason behind it is. I would bet a million it’s not about the health, safe, and welfare of their communities!
Cassie, what can I as a non Asian individual do to help? I want to help but I need guidance because I don’t know how.
Reading these messages is so upsetting. My heart goes out to everyone who has ever been subject to this inhumane treatment. #stopasianhate
#stopallhate
This is some all lives matter bullsh** right here. Check yourself.
well, if hate is bad, shouldn’t we just stop hatting on EVERYONE? Why can’t all lives matter?
wow. wise words, and u shld be more careful from the hate virus then covid ✊🏽
Hi Cassey,
Thank you so much for sharing this and speaking up about it. As an Asian American woman, I feel empowered and encouraged by your words and from the stories of other individuals who look like me. Though the stories are heartbreaking to hear, they remind me that I’m not alone. They remind me that I’m not the only one experiencing guilt over speaking up about anti-Asian racism and feeling like I should be silent, along with culturally ingrained “keep your head down and don’t stir up trouble.” Thank you for being a voice for those of us still struggling to find it and for those of us still feeling guilty that maybe our truth doesn’t matter or no one cares because it seems minute compared to other forms of oppression. Sending you love from Boston!
These comments just break my heart. I can’t believe people can be so cruel :'(. The level of hatred is mind boggling.
You’re amazing Cassie. You’re strength both emotionally and physically is an inspiration.
Stay strong, keep being you <3
I wish people just didn’t have this hate inside of them. I’m not Asian so I can’t even imagine how much pain you’re going through. It hurts to see how much the people are breaking down, and that people act as if protecting people against racism is a trend, just like #blm. I’m honstely trying to do something to help in any way, but I don’t know how I can. I just know I’m not just going to stay silent about this hate. Why isn’t people being harmed a big enough of a reason to try and stop it? The level of toxicity in society is scary. And the fact that some comments on Asian people has been normalized so much pisses me off. Racism is something I don’t understand, but clearly these people aren’t understanding. My patience has been strung apart and i hate what I’m hearing. WHY CAN’T PEOPLE JUST STOP? LITERALLY HOW DO ASIANS HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH YOU?it seems like as long as humanity exists, were always going to be fighting for this. but even though some people seem to just push this aside, theres always people suppporting you. and everyone who receives hate.
Hi Cassie,
I’m sure you’re going to get a lot of pushback on this from those people who always says, “Why do we have to make everything political!!!” I want to thank you for writing this, because this ISN’T political. The concept that BLM or Stop Asian Hate is political is asinine. It’s about protecting human life. If you have the ability to not “be political,” that only means your privileged enough to keep your head in the sand. I’m glad you used your platform to speak out. Please keep it up. I’m sorry you, your family, and your loved ones are experiencing this, but I’ll do my best to help amplify Asian voices during this time.
#stopallhate
Sure, all hate is harmful. But right now we’re trying to focus on the hate towards Asian people that’s resulting in racially motivated insults, threats, and attacks. Being specific about recognizing THESE crimes against THIS community instead of just a general “stop all the hate” will help more.
Oh, no. I am so very sorry. Why is race always such a major card to deal?? Stupidly hatred centred around Asians during this time didn’t even occur to me as a possibility, but of course, living in Africa our situation is so different. I’m wondering whether our small group of Eastern immigrants are experiencing something similar. I really hope not. Sending blessings and prayers from the southern tip of Africa!
I am really saddened by the ignorance in our country. The vitreal being spewed at Asians is completely uncalled for. Not only that, it disgusts me how my fellow citizens are treating their fellow humans. Thank you for bringing this to light, helping to give Asians a voice. It appears my country needs to be schooled on how to treat their fellow HUMANS! I’m disgusted how we have treated people; Asians, Blacks, Native Americans, Women, the helpless & defenseless. When will this stop???
Wow, reading these messages are really sad. I can’t understand why people would be so incredibly mean. Thank you for sharing these. It has opened my eyes to something that I didn’t even realize was an issue.
Dear Cassey,
Thank you so much for writing this blog post. I wish people would look beyond what a person’s race is and look at who they are as a person because that is so much more important. We are so much more than the color of our skin. We are all human beings no matter what and we need to treat everyone with the same respect and love. Thank you so much!
Love,
Grace
<3
Terrible stories, just heartbreaking to read. Fear brings out the worst in people! Interesting that many of the stories here make it a point to say the verbal assault was perpetrated by a white person, although most of the physical assault and murder cases against Asians were committed by black men. Better to highlight the victims maybe than the race of the criminal?
I agree! It’s all horrible regardless of the race of the person who did it; let’s not shift the hatred, but understand that anyone is capable of both great love and great hate, and such capacity has nothing to do with something so shallow and meaningless as skin color, nor should we encourage this line of thought. Very well put.
People like this need to have their power stripped away. If they are going to mete out cruel and unusual punishments on innocent people. These people are going to fade away one day and become the minorities and they won’t have the power to hurt other people anymore. This is very true for America because it is diverse. Also it is good to band together with others to have more strength in numbers. Other groups also experience discrimination such as Jewish people and African Americans, if people work together then they will be the majority and they will be too strong to bully around.