South Asians For Black Lives

As a South Asian myself, I feel so lucky and privileged to live in a free country. When I walk down the street, I don't feel scared, but rather protected. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for many Black Americans in the United States. Due to their race, they have to be extra cautious of the actions they take. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are just a few names amongst thousands that have been killed due to police brutality. As South Asians, it's important to support Black Americans in this crisis. In the 1960s, they fought for civil rights just so we could come to this country. They went through an enormous amount of pain and suffering so we could have it easier.

In the United States, we are considered the "model minority", which literally means we are part of a "demographic group whose members are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average". Often times, we are the "excuse". When it is argued that ethnic groups in America aren't given equal opportunities, the baton is passed to us. "Look at them, they came here. They're thriving." However, we have to remember that many restrictions were in place for Asian immigrants in the 1960s, which is why we're considered to be "thriving". Even for that to take place, Black Americans had to fight against the system. Without them, we wouldn't have been blessed with the opportunities and success that we have today or even allowed into this country for that matter. Just because we're considered as the "model minority" does not mean that we can't stand up for other people of color. It is our job to protect and fight for Black Americans. Here are a few things we can do to spread awareness throughout our community.

1. Call out family members and friends for the use of derogatory words and racist jokes. Explain why this isn't appropriate.

2. Many family members say "this isn't something we should get too involved in". Others don't understand what's going on, therefore, they make inaccurate assumptions. Make sure to tell your relatives about what exactly is going on and why it's important to fight for justice.

3. Educate yourselves on the situation! Many people don't exactly know the history of police brutality and why specifically Black Americans get targeted. Watch documentaries, videos, and read up on the situation!

4. Sign and share petitions! Every signature counts!

5. Donate to charities! Every dollar counts!

6. Email and/or call government branches for justice.

7. Spread awareness on social media.

Remember, it's not "justice for some", it's "justice for all".