To All My South Asian Elders, Being Racist Towards Blacks Doesn’t Make You More White | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

To All My South Asian Elders, Being Racist Towards Blacks Doesn’t Make You More White

Racism is a very real in the South Asian Community and needs to be actively fought.

19
To All My South Asian Elders, Being Racist Towards Blacks Doesn’t Make You More White

White colonialism left its mark in South Asia and injected its poisonous racist ideologies into these lands. Within this community itself, colorism is very prominent and the members with lighter skin tones are at the top of the societal hierarchy. The American-South Asian community has entered the American hierarchy and looks down upon those who are darker than them. This is especially prominent in the older generations and this community must be called out and ostracized for any change to be seen.

It is critical that we as the newer generation sit down and have the difficult conversations with our families about the death of George Floyd (and many others), police brutality, the protests, and racism, in general.

Because without educating our members and eliminating racism within our own homes, we can not progress and bring upon the great changes that will bring equality to America as a whole country and society.

Many younger South Asian community members, who are high-school to college levels, have especially observed racism in their parents or grandparents as the news was seen on T.V. Looks of horror were seen on their family members faces as images of the protesters were shown, yet this same disgust was not present when viewing images of the murders of innocent black people. This is the problem!

This community has this ingrained idea that by looking down upon black people, they will be more like the "superior" white people.

They are subconsciously trying to climb the ranks of this racist Society by sympathizing with the police officers who are committing these crimes and that is not ok! Call out your moms and dads and uncles and aunts! IT IS OUR DUTY, MY FRIENDS! Educate them, even though this task will not be easy.

The biggest barrier when discussing this topic with your family is the fact that they will feel like you are attacking them and judging them, which you are, and they will immediately become defensive. But we must not let this detour us, we must force them to listen to the words that will seem bitter to them to have any chance of changing them. The best approach is to start by explaining the science behind why some people have dark skin and others don't. This is very effective because you are showing them that this hierarchical system is killing and torturing black people solely because their bodies evolved to produce more melanin to protect them from the strong and harmful effects UV rays that their ancestors faced. It must be explained to them that they are blindly labeling all black people are druggies, rapists, and alcoholics based on the words of the white-dominated system of oppression white people have set up to keep themselves in power. And explain that black people are more likely to be in poverty because racism has made them less likely to get higher educations and get promotions when competing with white people. In a case study, it was found that white people are 29% more favored than black people when getting promotions and black people are favored over white people only 5% of the time. American society was designed to unequally favor the success of white people and then look down upon black people for not being able to reach the level of success that white people have.

We must educate our families on this matter to bring about change. And this not only applies to the South Asian community but other communities, as well.

We need to face the discomfort of conversations about racism or more black lives will be lost to the hatred of racism.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

445311
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

18846
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

42781
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

22058
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322451
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments