My Take on Fighting Racism

I wrote this a week ago, shortly after the death of George Floyd. I was highly devastated by the state our society is in. I had for too long chosen to believe in an idealized idea that all people are like me, and thus will not willingly harm another person. I am finally ready to face reality and proactively seek change. And this is a commitment for life.

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Black is Beautiful

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Today I went to my first protest in 10 years. At first, I was scared. Of course things will escalate, what if I get arrested and deported? Or worse, what if I get hurt?

But how did my fears start and why was I so afraid of the police, the very people who should be protecting the community whom I was a member of? Well for starters, the George Floyd incident. Was he not a member of the community? Were not all those people who suffered from police brutality before / after him a member of that community as well? The past few days, I’ve learned about too many times that people suffered at the hands of injustice. At the hands of basic human indecency. And it all needs to stop now. Why are all police departments in shows portrayed to have no oversight? Why does all injustice in movies stem from corruption? And why are black people burdened with carrying all the blame?

I was defeated before, defeated because one person cannot cause a reform. I was defeated because those who had a voice carried the wrong message. I was defeated because I was not educated enough about social change. I was defeated because I was tired to fight for my own rights. I was defeated because I thought I make no difference in the political picture. I can’t even vote in this country, right? But what I can do is educate other voters, friends, and family.

Being an international student, a woman in the STEM, I have seen how opportunities are restricted to the privileged. I cannot speak to the black experience, but I can speak to the human experience. This is about equality, about compassion, about empathy. I’m one of those people who believe that morals are enough to dictate your actions. And I am not going to be defeated anymore. This is my fight. And it’s also our fight.

I also felt empowered today. A society finally standing up to an oppressive regime must surely be a step in the right direction. But I am empowered only because so many other voices shout together with mine. I am empowered because I amplify black voices. I am empowered because I educate my family. And I am empowered because everyone else is also doing the same. Spreading the same message. Fighting for the same cause. United we are empowered. So don’t stand down.

I cried today, because I couldn’t believe that the world I live in could be responsible for these atrocities. I cried because no one should feel the way minorities do. I cried because it was my fault too.

But what can I do? I know one thing for sure.

United we are empowered.