“I don’t know if it will be safe for me to walk around. Y’know, because of the Asian stuff.”
I’m talking to my visibly Asian friend about her new downtown digs when that line stops me in my tracks.
“What? You’re not the type of person who gets attacked. They’re attacking old people and immigrants. People who clearly carry cash. People who don’t speak the language. I can’t even remember the last time I saw you touch a dollar bill.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Damn straight I’m right! If anything, she should be worried about walking around downtown because she’s a woman. That’s nothing new. We know about this. But the new fear of being Asian in public? That didn’t come from any recent experience she’s had – it came from the fear mongering on the news. Claiming it as our experience detracts from the people who do have to deal with that on a daily basis.
