Dear Asian Youth, If you look at the state of our country right now, you’ll notice that there seems to be an incredible amount of injustice against certain groups of people, most notably, Black people. You’ll see that there have been a lot of reported cases of police brutality against Black people, and news has been surfacing about the mistreatment of Black people in the healthcare system. Both of these are examples of systemic racism, and it’s probably not what you are thinking of when it comes to racism in the US. So what exactly is systemic racism? How does it differ from other types of institutionalized racism? To answer these questions, let’s take a look at systematic racism. Systematic racism is the type of racism where only certain parts of the entire system is affected. For example, if only the police sector and the healthcare system were affected by institutionalized racism, then that would mean that the system is experiencing systematic racism: only certain parts of the system are affected by racism. This is different from systemic racism because this type of institutionalized racism is when the entirety of the system is affected by racism. For example, systemic racism exists when there are biased laws and regulations, as well as unquestioned social and political institutions. Essentially, in the case of systemic racism, it’s a system where racism is a key part of how it operates, whereas systematic racism is a system where there’s a set of practices that discriminate based on race. For the purpose of this article, we will be focusing on systemic racism, because that is the inherent reality of the US’s politico-socio economic systems. While the unjust killings of African Americans like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have come as a shock to many, incidents like these aren’t new. Innocent people of colour have been murdered before, and they will continue to be until systems that uphold systemic racism in America are reformed and/or abolished. The push for equality for minority groups, such as women and people of color didn’t truly start until the last century. This is because the systems that were put in place when America was founded only benefitted a very specific group of people: white men who were straight, cisgender, Protestant, able-bodied, and rich. Those that didn’t fit that exact description were at a disadvantage and didn’t have access to the same institutions. When the Europeans immigrated and began to colonize America, they were met with resistance from Native Americans. These natives had less powerful weapons than that of the European colonists, and they lacked the immunity towards European diseases, which allowed the Europeans to take their land. Also, a majority of Native Americas were wiped out because of European diseases they didn’t possess any immunity toward. This established the colonists as the prime leaders and founders of the American territory and resulted in a surge of white pride, which developed into the white supremacy that haunts America today. This supremacy has endangered, tortured, and killed many racial minorities, and continues to do so. Males were seen as the dominant gender, and there was a general belief that nothing good could come from women suffrage. After decades of fighting, women finally got the right to vote- but it was limited to white women. So what about Black women? How does their story tie into the systemic racism in the US? Black women gained the right to vote in 1965 with the passage of the Voting Rights Act. They were one of the last groups to get the right to vote (along with the Native Americans) following white women in 1920, Black men in 1870, and white men, who had it all along. Why did Black women get this essential right so late? The suffrage movement was limited to white women because they were afraid that including Black women would result in a loss of support in the South and possibly other regions. This is a sharp contrast to the suffrage movement’s anti-slavery roots, and shows that racial divides overpowered a movement that could’ve benefitted every women all at once. Additionally, new immigrants were seen to be “stealing” jobs, “lowering” wages, “ruining” American culture, and in general hurting the economy. When Germans and Irish immigrants came to the US from their respective countries, they were immediately disliked because they were Catholic. America was majorly Protestant and believed that the Pope could influence elections by telling the German and Irish Catholics who to vote for. Americans worked against these immigrants in an effort to keep them at the lowest level of society. For example, they did so by holding anti-Catholic riots and forming nativist political parties. This relates to systemic racism because it there was a level of prejudice and discrimination against these groups of people, and because of that, the ideas that immigrants were of a lower status than the Americans and that their cultures were potentially very harmful to America became a prevalent part of American politics and society. However, the assumptions that immigrants would “hurt” the economy or “lower” wages, etc. is incorrect, because it was proven that immigrants in fact helped the economy, didn’t lower wages, and businesses were overall benefitted by immigration because they had a larger work force to draw from. So the next time there’s backlash or complaints about new waves of immigrants, let’s think about how immigrants actually affect the country, not what the perceived effect is. After all, it’s likely that these immigrants are looking for something more. Donald Trump stated, “Why are we having all these people from sh*thole countries come here?” According to President Trump, America should no longer welcome immigrants into the country, while America’s whole purpose was to provide a home for immigrants from all around the world, as stated under the Naturalization Clause in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4 of the American Constitution. There is a great amount of concealed hypocrisy that sheds light on a pattern in the prejudice against minorities today. It is unfair and unjust to close off the U.S. to legal immigrants when most of its citizens have ancestors who were immigrants. It is a burden to carry, knowing that a myriad of lives was lost due to the ancestors of so many citizens. There is nothing that we can do to fix the past; however, there are countless preventative measures that we can take for the future—for we cannot let this hate repeat. I am from Bangladesh. Unspeakable things have been done to my relatives who have fought in the many wars of Bangladesh. Under enemy fire, they have been tortured and killed just because of their nationality. It is harsh to hear and breaks my heart everytime I think about it. How unjust can our world be that we have to resort to violence? Policeman Derek Chauvin was not put in any danger before he decided to brutally suffocate George Floyd and refused to stop, not even when Floyd said, “Please I can’t breathe. My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. They’re going to kill me.” We all know Martin Luther King Jr. as a man who had a dream. A dream that all people would be treated the same, despite their background . I am sure that MLK had some nightmares as well. And I believe that those nightmares came true. Because, right now, America is not equal. America is at the point where the people are afraid of their government, the government that swore to protect them, the government that is supposed to be a democracy. How can democracy be achieved when racism and sexism run rampant in this country? This is why we protest. This is why we will no longer remain silent. Gross tension has been building up in America even before its birth, and to reduce the tension, we must let it out. America and her citizens have reached their boiling points - and in these complex and historical moments that we live through every day, America’s minorities will not settle for less. We are done being treated unfairly. We are done being treated as inferior because we do not serve another race. We serve ourselves—and we will fight for our natural rights. We will do it in our honor, and not initiate violence until we have run out of peace to give. - Prerna and Ishita

Dear Asian Youth, As the Black Lives Matter movement becomes more prevalent in our media, the conversation has shifted from racial inequality and police brutality to looting and rioting. These acts have gained negative attention, therefore reflecting poorly on the movement. However, the reason why it is often a choice for people who feel like they have no other option is that it works. Riots are caused by real injustices, such as police brutality, residential segregation, economic inequality, and racism in general. These fights for justice bring serious attention and change to the issues that caused them. Although there are many forms to express this discontent, riots are caused by a long culmination of anger due to conflicts in a community. So by drawing attention to real pain in suffering communities, like committing acts of violence, they can lead to reforms to fix whatever led to the violent fury, giving a necessary voice to the voiceless. Recently, we have even seen how rioting draws media attention and can spark uncomfortable, but long overdue, conversations about race in America. This awareness is what leads to action and reform. Historically, riots have granted us many rights we have today. The Boston Tea Party and the Stamp Act Riots led to the push for the war that ended with American independence. After that, Shays’ Rebellion revealed flaws in the Articles of Confederation. Also, in 1965, the Watts Riots broke out in Los Angeles, which led to pushes for reforms in education, housing, healthcare, and the police department. In fact, riots are a part of America’s foundation. When Freddie Gray died in police custody in 2015, the town of Baltimore protested his unjust death, and riots broke out. This placed a national spotlight on policing problems, particularly in minority communities. Eventually, the U.S. Justice Department looked into the issue more, and found the Baltimore Police Department guilty of racist practices, such as regularly arresting people for meager reasons or no reasons at all, and using excessive force against them, especially black citizens, making it clear that they were targeted and abused by the police. The investigation caused the police to create important changes within their department, like Governor Larry Hogan signing bills that would double how much people injured by police can collect in civil lawsuits, encouraging police departments to begin body camera programs, and requiring them to report all police-related deaths to the Maryland State Police. Although rioting is often biased to only affect political and racial issues in society, the action affects social and LGBTQ+ as well. The Stonewall Riots propelled a movement for LGBTQ+ equality. At a time when being gay was illegal in almost every state, the Stonewall Inn was one of the few openly gay places in New York and was frequently raided by police. However, on one summer night in 1969, customers decided to resist arrest, which caused this protest gained support and lasted for six days. This movement marked a shift in the LGBTQ+ movement as they began fighting for their rights instead of hiding Their efforts led to numerous changes for the community; New York’s first gay pride parade was held a few months later that year and advocacy groups appeared all across America the following year. Violent protests like this have shaped our nation, and by claiming that the current protesters should practice nonviolent tactics, we imply that we better understand how to enact change, despite not having experienced the same inequalities. Additionally, most of the groups who are against rioting do not understand the injustices that African Americans have had to face in the past and present, blinded by privilege. In 1921, the Tulsa Race Riot destroyed the wealthiest black community in America. White residents attacked African American residents and looted and destroyed businesses, and it is often referred to as the Tulsa Race Massacre because of the mass amount of casualties. But citizens with these beliefs also riot for other reasons, like when their sports team wins, when their sports team loses, or just to feel "a rush." Surely protesting institutional racism is more important. This kind of hypocrisy is an excellent display of privilege, and to those who have not only not been the victims of generations of anti-black violence but rather benefited from it, have no right to judge how African Americans protest. - Maesha and Erika

Dear Asian Youth, I see unarmed black men suffocated, lynched, and shot. Currently, there’s an influx of such tragedies surfacing online. This is America in 2020: a place where the police can drive into crowds of civilians that demand justice for black lives, a nation where a father must instruct his son how to survive if a cop were to kneel on his throat, and a world that thrived and continues to thrive off of centuries-long prejudice within American institutions. Amid a global pandemic, there are protesters who rally for haircuts and businesses to re-open because they feel their freedoms being abridged. Yet, there’s another group of protestors, a group whose voices have been silenced countless times, who demand to be heard. However, in the act of fighting injustice, they are met with pushback, rubber bullets, and a system designed to ensure their downfall. As cities nationwide are left in disarray— streets littered with debris while buildings and cars are set ablaze — we must realize that this chaos is the manifestation of frustration dating back before the Civil Rights era, to the moment hundreds of thousands of men and women were deemed property and forcibly brought to America as slaves. History has shown us that racist mindsets have not changed much, and they’ve only evolved to a point where forms of extreme racism, like KKK rallies, Confederate flag demonstrations, and police brutality, are the only manifestations of racism to be called out. Even so, many people of color, especially African Americans, experience microaggressions ranging from being racially profiled at a store to having successes attributed solely to their race — a notion derived from affirmative action. Racism today shouldn’t be criticized only at its most extreme form; rather, it’s important to note that it can be subtle and woven into everyday sentiments and conversations. Racism can take the form of skin whitening products and even a black man being barred from entering his apartment because he didn’t look like the ‘typical’ resident. Racial prejudice has entwined itself everywhere, even in Asian communities. It was the year 1676 in Virginia when both white indentured servants and black enslaved groups were disenfranchised, the former for not owning land and the latter for their skin color. These groups were rendered powerless in what was once a thriving colony abounding with tobacco plantations. When prices started falling, economically disadvantaged Virginians felt neglected by an indifferent government. A white colonist named Nathaniel Bacon saw the blatant social inequities between the rich and the poor in Virginia. After an altercation with a neighboring Native tribe, he demanded government assistance and support to combat Native Americans (to which the government refused). Land the Natives lived on could be given to the economically disadvantaged, he thought, socially mobilizing impoverished Virginians to a position where their voices could finally be heard. So, frustrated with the government’s neglect, he led riots and protests with indentured servants and enslaved people. Under Bacon’s leadership, they captured Jamestown and burned it to the ground. Although the rebellion gradually fizzled out after his death, it left a lasting impression on white officials. This rebellion seared into their minds that when white indentured servants and black enslaved people work together, they can upend the societal stratifications that hold them back. Soon after, the Virginian government made the decision to distinguish all whites from black people; they expanded the rights of white servants to prevent solidarity between the two marginalized groups. With their new privileges, the indentured servants no longer aligned themselves with the black enslaved people they once fought alongside — turning a blind eye towards the slaves’ suffering because those issues no longer affected them. History has only repeated itself with the inception of a newer racial wedge: the model minority myth. This pervasive stereotype propounds the belief that Asians are capable of achieving higher success than others, assigning any success of an Asian as an intrinsic quality of race. By praising instead of disparaging Asians, the myth creates an illusion of anti-racism. In reality, it establishes a destructive racial hierarchy between minorities — one where white people are bolstered to the top. “It’s just a compliment to Asians,” some may argue. However, by establishing Asians as a group other minorities should aspire to, non-Asian minorities are relegated to a position whereby they need to change to be seen as hardworking and worthy, fostering competition and hate between people of color. Consequently, we expend energy fighting each other rather than collectively working against white supremacy. However, during times like these— when consecutive videos of unarmed black men and women brutalized by the police and protestors demanding for justice flood our news feeds — we, the Asian community, must pull through. Growing up in an Asian household, I’ve noticed certain iterations and explicit statements that root from stubborn anti-blackness. It’s baffling. Are we not also a marginalized group that faces racism and discrimination? When they were granted more rights and status, white indentured servants in Virginia grew indifferent to the cries of the black enslaved community. Today, we have to ask ourselves this: where does our empathy lie? Like those white indentured servants, do we simply stay silent? In the wake of George Floyd’s killing and countless others, we must begin to understand the struggles of other marginalized groups and work to become their allies. One way to work against anti-blackness in our communities is by educating ourselves and others; hold important conversations with our families on why the movement is inflamed after George Floyd’s murder. Conversations with Asian parents about these matters may not be easy; rather they can be precarious, volatile exchanges or even verbal banters at the dinner table. Try to understand where your parents' perspectives are coming from and what experiences they’ve lived through that have molded their sentiments. Tell them you’re not invalidating their experiences, but that because of those experiences, they should hold a better understanding on why millions of black families are frustrated, angry, and grieving. Call out our friends and family members when we hear prejudiced remarks and make them cognizant of their own anti-blackness — no matter how uncomfortable it may get. Remember, discomfort is natural, but ignorance is not. During the Civil Rights Movement and numerous other instances, the black community fought for basic human rights, which paved the way for the freedoms the Asian community enjoys today. By recognizing our place of relative privilege, we can leverage it to become allies for the black community. Yes, we have the option to turn a blind eye because these atrocities don’t directly affect us. Yes, we can remain blasé and resume our lives as thousands of others’ are put on hold. And yes, recognizing our place of privilege and internalized anti-blackness won’t be easy nor comfortable. But by doing just that, we can begin to pilot change within ourselves and our Asian communities. During this tragic piece of history, let’s refuse to be passive bystanders and instead become allies. - Angela H. To learn more about Bacon’s Rebellion, please see the link below. https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-2/inventing-black-and-white For resources on how to help (petitions, funds, etcetera), click the link below. https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#

Dear Asian Youth, 1984 by George Orwell. While this novel may give you flashbacks to late-night study sessions for your sophomore year English class, it is becoming a harsh reality for many. In the novel, Winston Smith lives in a world where citizens have no right to speak, or even think thoughts that do not directly align with the government’s ideals. Every aspect of people’s lives is brutally controlled. The modern-day Big Brother, you ask? President Rodrigo Duterte (talk about foreshadowing!) While the Philippines is suffering as a result of Duterte’s response (or rather lack of response, as seen by the 24,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines), Duterte attempts to control the narrative again in the face of growing criticism. This time, he fast-tracked the Anti-Terrorism bill through the Philippine House of Representatives—but don’t let the name deceive you, as the bill can and will sign the death certificate of Philippine democracy. The bill, received on June 9th, now sits on Duterte’s desk, waiting to be signed as thousands continue to march the streets to protect the remains of freedom in the Philippines. Fittingly nicknamed the “Terror Bill”, this law would grant the government the right to label anyone as a terrorist, subjecting citizens to arbitrary arrests and long prison sentences if they belong to organizations that have displeased the president. The definition of terrorism would include actions that merely intend to result in “death or serious bodily injury”, "extensive damage and destruction" of infrastructure, or "intimidation of [the] general public”. It would also become a criminal offense to provoke others to engage in acts of terrorism, including protests and social media activism. Under this extremely broad and vague definition, any act of expression including speech, proclamation, and writing can be deemed “terrorism.” In addition, anyone who criticizes the government can be arrested without a warrant. If the Anti-Terror Council finds you “suspicious”, they have the right to take you into custody immediately. To be charged without a warrant is a clear violation of constitutional rights: the Philippine Bill of Rights states that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved”. Furthermore, if someone is found guilty of supposed “terrorist activity”, they could be looking at a life sentence without the chance of parole. To make matters worse, this “Anti-Terror council” does not even constitute a court; instead, it is made up of government-appointed officials, of which most (if not all) are supporters of President Duterte and his policies. However, as disappointing and unjust the bill is, I can’t say I’m surprised. Duterte has a history of resorting to militarized means to respond to national crises. Last year, the Philippines' Congress, filled with Duterte’s allies, cut 4 billion pesos ($80 million USD) from the nation’s disaster funds. And in January, after the carelessness in his administration's response to the Taal volcano eruption, Duterte simply cursed the volcano and threatened to “pee on Taal”. How classy of him! A few weeks later, when the nation struggled to defend itself against COVID-19, Duterte provided no resources for support and instead announced that he was looking for the “idiot” coronavirus because he wanted to “slap it.” Oh, but it doesn’t stop there. ABS-CBN, a popular Philippine media network, was taken off the air in May — another one of Duterte’s many attempts to promote censorship. In another instance, a teacher uploaded a sarcastic social media post that offered 1 million dollars to assassinate Duterte, and a driver followed up saying that he was willing to double that amount. It was a joke in their eyes, but a malicious terrorist assassination attempt in the eyes of law enforcement. The teacher and driver have since been arrested, most likely charged with inciting sedition. Clearly, Duterte has a longstanding habit of silencing any critics — and now he’s signing it into law. According to Section 4 of the Philippine Bill of Rights, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.” As a first-generation Filipino-American, I find it incredibly terrifying that my country is being destroyed by those who are supposed to maintain it. I have many close relatives in the Philippines, some significantly younger than me. The fact that they may never be able to voice their opinions without being labeled as a terrorist is heartbreaking. Having experienced the hardships of Filipino life firsthand, I can say with confidence that Filipino people have fought and are still fighting hard, but robbing this right from them completely discredits their efforts. Rather than protecting Filipino citizens from potential terrorists, the government is becoming a terrorist organization itself, continuing to attack Philippine democracy. The entire foundation of democracy is built off of checks and balances alongside the people’s voices, but when the government criminalizes free speech and refuses to listen, what is the purpose of this supposed “democracy”? As summarized by human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, "It's not about going after terrorists, but critics of this administration." During a time when it is so crucial for a nation’s people to come together as one, such a bill not only violates human rights but divides its people. While the Philippines lacks the resources needed to soothe the coronavirus pandemic, Duterte is completely exploiting his nation’s vulnerable situation as a distraction from his failing administration. The bill is now sitting on Duterte's desk and only he can sign or veto it. If he chooses to do neither, the bill will inevitably become law in 30 days. That’s 30 days before Filipinos are robbed of their freedom of speech. That’s 30 days before the remains of Philippine democracy crumble. But that’s also 30 days for the Department of Justice to repeal the bill for violations of constitutional rights. That’s 30 days to make noise and speak up and prevent this bill from being implemented. We have time, and we must use this time wisely to stop the Philippines from collapsing into chaos. - Julianne and Stephanie

Dear Asian Youth, “You’re a fake Asian.” “You look Asian but you’re actually just white-washed.” “Oh Emily, you wouldn’t get it. It’s a real Asian thing.” I have heard variations of these statements countless times, both by peers I hardly know, and by my own friends. When I was thirteen months old, I was adopted from Wuhan, China. My father is from Michigan and my mother is from Puerto Rico. They try their best to celebrate and foster my Asian heritage by celebrating Chinese New Year and they even enrolled me in Chinese immersion schools for a couple of years. Despite these admirable efforts, I know that I will never be able to relate to my Asian family-born friends. Comments regarding my “white” lifestyle and “white” family are so common, that I’ve learned to just accept them and laugh, even though they make me uncomfortable. No, I don’t wear slippers at home. Yes, I’m allowed to wear shoes around the house. Yes, I prefer forks over chopsticks and I’ve only been to my local Chinese grocery store once; it was to buy Hi-Chews. Although I may not act “the part”, I still look “the part”. This means racism is still inherently directed towards me and I still get all the subtle comments regarding the school subjects that I should be excelling in, specifically all STEM related courses. I get comments on the future jobs that I should want for myself, again, all STEM related professions. And, people constantly comment on the behavior that I should be demonstrating: unproblematic, perfect attendance, straight A’s, serious. But the thing is, I do excel in my STEM related courses. I do want to go into a STEM field of work. I would like to think that I am unproblematic, have near perfect attendance, have nearly all A’s, and am driven (not necessarily serious) as well as studious. Inside me, I have this need to appear Asian to my peers. “I don’t want to let them down”, is a quiet, yet typical thought that I have. I honestly believe that adopted Asians are overlooked. White people overlook us because we are Asian to their eyes. Asians overlook us because they assume we fit in better with white people. I fight this unnecessary battle between not wanting to disgrace the Asian heritage with myself, an Asian raised by white people, and not wanting to give into the white-washed culture that people have labeled me with. For example, I sometimes get uncomfortable with enjoying anime, Japanese marker brands and all Asian cuisine. I have it inscribed in my brain, from all the subtle comments, that I am a poser. And on the other hand, I feel like I can’t even buy certain clothes: crop tops, short shorts, brands like Brandy Melville or even Patagonia, because I’ll be giving into the demands that western culture has. When I tell people I’m adopted, most people are surprised, and those who do not act surprised don’t because they don’t want to come off as rude (it’s actually funny because I don’t have an Asian last name so it’s surprising that people can’t figure it out). “Wait... really?” They say this as if the fact that I am adopted has changed their view of me completely. They say this as if I’ve had them completely fooled the entire time, like I did such a convincing job of pretending I’m a “real” Asian. And now that they know this fact, they’ll stop asking me for math help or (if they’re Asian) they decide that they can’t talk about anything Asian related with me because I “wouldn’t get it” or I “don’t understand”. I truly embrace my identity. I have the most supportive parents I could ask for and a friend group I adore. But, adopted Asians are often disregarded and (although I can only speak for myself) feel this implicit confusion over where to fit in. We should minimize the self-caused stress from trying to balance out what you should and shouldn’t like. There’s really no right answer, it’s just important to like things because you like them! I wish for people to stop normalizing the phrase “white-washed Asian”. It’s really just a matter of what lifestyle we grew up with. We haven’t disgraced our native country’s culture with our existence. Biography: Current high school junior, Emily Pamment loves to work with code, write letters, and discuss social issues. After facing these challenges every day, she finally realized that she can't be the only one who feels this way. Her Instagram is @emilypamment.

Dear Asian Youth, Made in China. I’m sure we are all very familiar with seeing these three words labelled on the packages of almost everything we purchase: your phones, your shoes, your watches, you name it! Statistically speaking, China is the world’s number one producer - accounting for about 20% of the world’s manufacturing output in 2015, that is about 2,010 billion U.S. dollars devoted into production alone! However, these numbers are probably the last thing that come to mind when people think about the phrase, “Made in China.” Westerners often associate such products with defection and cheap quality. I remember seeing a girl on Instagram complain about how the leggings she purchased from an American company were not the same as they looked on the website. She proceeded to examine the tags hanging from the side of the leggings and exclaimed loudly, “Of course this is made in China!”. After scrolling through the comments, I saw many empathizing with her failed purchase and jumping on the bandwagon to hate on other various items produced in China. The funny thing about this is, the hate towards products that are made in China”doesn’t make any logical sense. Consumers often blame China for low quality products without understanding what the phrase “Made in China” really entails. Allow me to explain the process and break it down for you; hopefully what I talk about today will lower the amount of unnecessary judgement caused by simple misconceptions. When companies decide to produce a product to sell on the market, they all strive to produce the most amount of merchandise for the least amount of money. Therefore, they search for a region where production costs are extremely cheap. Since the beginning of industrialized globalization, Asian countries have been known to have the cheapest wages, the least restrictions, and the large supply of workers when it comes to mass manufacturing. Due to China’s overwhelming population, it has the world's largest manufacturing workforce with over 112 million workers. In fact, China has more employees in the manufacturing sector than the U.S., France, Germany, Italy and Japan combined. It is also important to note that since there’s severe job competition, many workers are less likely to care about pay, work hours, and working conditions. Since these aforementioned factors are deemed as less important, companies do not invest as much money into worker safety and worker rights. In 2009, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the average Chinese manufacturing worker only makes 1.75 U.S dollars per hour. To put things into perspective, this amount is only about 2.7% of their American counterparts’ average wage. With the abundance of low-wage workers available in the country, international companies see an opportunity to mass produce their commodities. Other than the cheap prices companies have to pay for manual labor, the great number of workers also result in higher productivity and efficiency. This is yet another incentive for businesses to manufacture their products in China. It is no secret that China is “the world’s factory,” but the world has yet to fully understand what the phrase “Made in China” actually means. For many Americans, the “Made in China” label has become synonymous with low-cost and low-quality. But little do they know, the quality of a product is not determined by the manufacturer, which in this case, is a Chinese factory. Referring to The Economist, factories are required to fulfill the demands of their clients under a binding contract. This means that Chinese factories are simply producing what foreign companies have asked for. The clients, which could be American companies, are the ones who created the designs, chose the materials, and indicated their preferred method of production. After receiving information about what is required by the clients, factories go to work and produce exactly what has been required. For example, if a company insists on using low-cost, sub-par materials to save money, the product will be low-cost and sub-par. It’s as simple as that. This goes both ways, as world class products always have and still are being produced in China. Major companies with proper resources are willing to spend money and produce quality products with Chinese manufacturers. Misconceptions like these perpetuate negative biases. The problematic bias against “Made in China” is prolonging stereotypes about Asian modernization, fueling prejudice and superiority. Since colonial times, many westerners have seen their methods of production and manufacturing as more proficient and proper. Furthermore, they’ve deemed themselves as more advanced compared to other regions. Those ideas have infiltrated the minds of the public, so when we see the phrase “Made in China”, there is almost an immediate association with low-quality or being less-than. China and other non-European nations should not be used as a point of reference for bad quality, simply because there is an abundance of perfectly capable factories in China that will not only meet but exceed expectations of clients. Countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and many others have faced similar backlash regarding the qualities of their manufactured products. Items manufactured in China and other Asian countries have gotten such a negative reputation over the years that, for some consumers, it’s difficult to move past the negatives and accept the fact that quality goods can be produced in Asian countries. The key is to be knowledgeable about whether or not the actual company has an intent to create high-quality goods. If not, you are perpetuating a superiority complex by suggesting customers can place the blame on China, instead of the actual American brand. Additionally, the term, “Made in China”, is often confused with “assembled in China”. As defined by itimanufacturing, “Made” indicates all or most of the parts and components used to make the product originated from that country and were also manufactured in that same country. “Assembled,” on the other hand, indicates that parts came from other countries and were combined by the sourcing manufacturer who put the parts together to assemble the product in its final form. Accordingly, consumers who receive low-quality products assembled in China should not direct their anger towards the country’s manufacturing process, but instead examine where the product materials are sourced. In contrast, there are many high quality products manufactured by China! I would like to highlight some high quality products that China is responsible for manufacturing. Sourcify provided a list of the top 10 products made in China in 2018. Topping the list is personal high-speed computers, also known as PC’s. So, next time you finish a great round of Call of Duty, check if your computer is actually made in China. The next item on the list has almost become a human necessity: mobile phones. Ah yes, your iPhone X’s and iPhone XR’s are, most likely, assembled in China. In addition to these two technological products, many luxury clothing and shoe brands manufacture their products in China. According to The Fashion Law, Prada, Burberry, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Miu Miu are just a few of many high-end brands that work with China to produce luxury clothing pieces. In 2019, an estimated 20% of Prada bags, clothes and shoes were manufactured in China. We all know that luxury brands have their title due to their high prices and therefore better qualities. These brands help prove that products made in China can be of extremely high standards. China has great importance in the global economy, especially in manufacturing. It is safe to say that we wouldn’t be able to have many of the products we do now if it wasn’t for China’s ability to mass manufacture. Consequently, “Made in China” shouldn’t deter you from buying a product, it is the company that designs and funds it that requires your attention! Personally, I am so tired of hearing people complain about how their bad quality products are produced in China, and shaming the country for being responsible for the whole thing. Those of you who’ve stumble upon this article should now understand that “Made in China” is not the reason for bad quality, but an irresponsible lack of funding certainly leads to sub-par product. - Eva

Dear Asian Youth, If you’ve been on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, you’ve probably heard of Ed and Rose, the infamous T.V. stars from “90-Day Fiancé”. This TLC show is a very popular reality T.V. show that depicts the relationship between American citizens and foreigners to see if they can withstand their cultural barriers. It gained notoriety from the relationship of Big Ed and Rose, with Big Ed being from America and Rose being a native Filipina. Though their journey takes place on another variant of the show, “90-Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days”, the concept is still similar. And though watching the ups and downs of their volatile relationship is quite funny, it brings to my attention the dark underbelly of this show. To those who don’t know about Big Ed and Rose, here’s some background information. Ed is a divorced 54-year old man and Rose, at age 23, is a whopping 31 years younger than Ed. Rose has a child, which she had with another man prior to meeting Ed. While I don't necessarily encourage measuring people's values through their looks, it is clear that she is out of his league. They began their relationship through Facebook, and Big Ed eventually flew from San Diego to meet Rose in the Philippines. Though he seemed to be madly in love with her, he doesn’t reciprocate the same feelings for her culture and community. It is very obvious that Ed has no respect for the customs and traditions Filipinos have. When Rose welcomes Ed into her humble abode, he responds with pure disgust and expresses that he cannot wait to leave. He even says in this same episode, “I cannot wait to get out of here, and I am going to make hotel reservations as soon as possible”. When Ed wants to shower, Rose advises that he shower with her father as well. It is common for families in the Philippines, and frankly any other third world country, to bathe with multiple people to conserve water. But he is clearly appalled by their way of life and feels entitled to a higher standard. He constantly belittles both Rose and her heritage because he puts his racial status on blast to remind Rose of his apparent superiority. Yet within his criticism of Rose’s way of life is the irony that these poor living conditions are caused by Western conditions. Instead of using this T.V. show as a way to bring light to the issues that many third-world countries face, it is instead utilized as practical propaganda to place America on this pedestal to remind everyone of how much more advanced the country is. People often forget why third-world countries are the way they are. Coming from a young Filipino-American girl whose parents are both immigrants from the Philippines, I’ve seen the hardships that people in third-world countries face. This show isn’t about finding love. It isn’t about understanding each other’s differing lifestyles. It's about the art of deception and manipulation that forces people like Rose to succumb to the fantasies of their white partners. For far too many years, Asian women have been stereotyped to be submissive and docile. Ed was determined to use this to his advantage. He is aware of how important the opportunity of being able to go to America meant to Rose, and he abuses this knowledge. He tries to lead her on using the prospect of American citizenship as bait. To his surprise, Rose speaks up and defends herself. She disapproves of his disrespect towards her culture and calls him out on his doubts about her personal hygiene. This leads to Ed's claims that Rose is a gold digger with her own agenda. What Ed doesn't understand is that loving for love is still a privilege many women can't afford to have. She has a son whom she loves unconditionally, and as a good mother, she needs to take certain steps to raise the quality of life for her son. It is incredibly unfair that Rose is being labeled as the gold digger, even though it is Ed who is exploiting her and assuming that she will conform to his desires. On their first date, Big Ed had the audacity to ask Rose to take an STD test, but when she turned it around on him and asked him to take one as well, he refused to take one in the Philippines. He. Only. Wanted. Her. For. Sex. In the words of Rose, “He thinks of me as a dirty woman. He thinks of me as nothing but an easy girl. He doesn’t think of me as his girlfriend and why should he ask me to do something like that?” It’s truly heartbreaking that Rose is aware of how she’s being used. She’s finally catching on to Ed’s true intentions. Rose, like many Filipina women, is actively seeking a better life, especially since she has a child to raise. But Ed completely exploits Rose's vulnerable situation, and when he attempts to control her, he is unable to comprehend why Rose is so unwilling to become his pretty little doll. It would be a complete and utter lie to say that Rose and Ed are the first of their kind to exist, as I can say with certainty that there are many relationships similar to this. And though this may have been absolute hell for Rose, there is so much to take away from their relationship. The exploitation of foreign women is not something that should be overlooked, especially since we live in a country that is built off of the destruction of cultures in the East. As for Rose, it is my pleasure to say that she is happily separated from this pig of a man and is doing better than ever! - Julianne

Dear Asian Youth, A banana: yellow on the outside, white on the inside. A racial description often used to describe someone of Asian descent that has been “whitewashed” — someone who lacks a connection to their cultural heritage. As a second generation Asian American, I am all too familiar with the term. My grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s. My parents were born and raised in the American public education system. I grew up in a predominantly Asian immigrant community near East San Jose, California. A lot of my peers were first generation and spoke their native language. I often felt alienated since my personal experiences and home life were very different. Often, when my peers met my parents who spoke perfect English or learned about my inability to speak Cantonese, I was condemned as a "banana." I never thought I was out of touch with my culture though; my family still celebrated Chinese holidays and ate traditional foods. My grandmother would always cook traditional Cantonese food at home and we would go out for Dim Sum every week. We would hold large banquets and pass out Lai See (red envelopes) on Chinese New Year and eat Mooncakes on the day of the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival. Every year, my family would visit the cemetery to pay our respects to our ancestors, following Chinese tradition. Growing up, it was also important that my parents taught me my family history: how my great grandfather immigrated through Angel Island, how my grandfather came to the U.S. at 14 to help support his family in China, and how my other relatives had to buy papers to be able to immigrate to the U.S. My parents also made sure I knew the true history of the Chinese in America. I learned about the transcontinental railroad, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the history of Chinatowns, and the extensive racism, violence, and hatred the Chinese faced. Yet, when I began school, I often found the stories and narratives I learned growing up to be omitted from public school curriculum. There were mentions of Chinese building the transcontinental railroad and the Chinese Exclusion Act, but nothing more than a few sentences in a history textbook. For a class full of Asian kids, I questioned why we never learned about our own history and contributions to America. Why was there so much importance placed on European figures and their narrative in shaping the country? Even from first grade, we were taught that America is the best country on Earth: the richest country, the land of the free, the home of the brave. We discussed the Founding Fathers and the great ideas our nation was built upon. And yet, there is a completely different narrative that seems to exist between all this: the narrative of the minority — one of racism, oppression, hate, and exclusion. Last month, PBS aired a documentary called “Asian Americans.” The documentary detailed the complex history of Asians in the U.S., from Supreme Court cases involving Asian Americans that defined race, ethnicity, and property ownership in the U.S. to pioneering Asians in the entertainment industry. From the complex race relations in the L.A. riots to the role Asians played in American politics. Personally I was furious to have learned that our contribution to American history goes without recognition. We played a part in creating laws and policies that still affect us today, we built and fought for this country, and regardless, we still face incredible amounts of racial discrimination and violence. This is the history that my immigrant family was a part of for more than 80 years. And still, there is only a sliver of a sentence mentioning Asian Americans in our textbooks. American history in school is very one-sided. It’s often written from a white, eurocentric perspective. Writing history from a singular perspective omits the history of a lot of people and often distorts some events. Even when discussing the darker parts of American history, textbooks fail to grasp the full gravity of a subject, portraying the United States as the overcomer — the bold achiever. The New York Times article, “Two States. Eight Textbooks. Two American Stories,” by Dana Goldstein highlights this exact issue. The article compares content from two different textbooks: one from California, the other from Texas. Both textbooks have the same publisher and credit the same authors as sources. But there are actually hundreds of subtle differences between the books, proving that the history we are taught is not objective in the slightest. As summarized by Goldstein, “Conservatives have fought for schools to promote patriotism, highlight the influence of Christianity and celebrate the founding fathers... The left has pushed for students to encounter history more from the ground up than from the top down, with a focus on the experiences of marginalized groups such as enslaved people, women and Native Americans.” Learning the history of minorities has become a partisan issue, which often leaves POC students with the short end of the stick. Rather than writing history to the objective truth, varying the lens as to view historical events from multiple perspectives, the American government would rather fight over whether kids are being indoctrinated by right or left wing “ideology.” In recent weeks, our country has become more polarized in light of the death of Amhaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many more. I began to realize that the Asian American community isn't the only victim of having our history excluded from school textbooks. The history of other minorities is missing from our public school curriculum as well. Part of learning history is understanding why some people today still suffer repercussions from the past. When we leave out the history of minorities, we effectively ignore the very valid reasons why things are the way they are in today, making progress an impossible feat. If we begin to look at the U.S. from the lens of race, untold history will start to emerge, starting with our Founding Fathers being slave owners. We will then be able to acknowledge the fact that while our Constitution says, “All men are created equal,” this was never true. By studying the history of slavery, we can find the bold hypocrisy within the founding of our nation. Even when slaves were liberated after the passing of the 13th Amendment, it only brought about different forms of slavery: sharecropping, redlining, and mass incarceration. Same institution, different names. A loophole in the amendment stated that slavery was illegal, except in the form of punishment for a crime. After the Civil War, while the south struggled to rebuild its economy, African Americans were kept in cycles of economic oppression and poverty, denied from buying homes in wealthy areas and arrested en masse for petty crimes. They were given unfair trials and jailed, where they could be put to work for little to no money. Many of these systems still exist today. When Asians began to immigrate to the U.S., this system of racism started to spread to other immigrants as well. We too became victims of racism, along with every other immigrant community. Yet unlike the African American community, a physical bill (the Chinese Exclusion Act) was written to prevent Asians from even entering the country. The system of racism was adapted to exclude Asians from owning property, obtaining citizenship, and being able to settle in wealthy communities. While most European immigrants entered through Ellis Island in New York with the grand Statue of Liberty, Asian immigrants were locked up in Angel Island, often for months and separated from their families. During World War II, the Japanese were relocated after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Some families were separated based on how they “pledged their loyalty” to the United States. Meanwhile, the 442 division, an all Japanese infantry division, fought on the frontlines for the U.S. while their families were locked up at home. A similar act of selflessness was seen when the Tuskegee Airmen defied social norms to become the first all-Black bomber squadron, running hundreds of successful missions and becoming a force for desegregation in the military. Yet despite their bravery and victories, they still faced racism and prejudice at home. When we look at government policy, African Americans could technically vote after the passing of the 15th amendment, but millions of black men and women were denied their right to vote by poll taxes, grandfather clauses, literacy tests (which were made to be impossible to pass), and threats of being fired from their job. It wasn't until 1965 when the Voting Rights Act allowed equal voting rights for Black people. Even Asian Americans weren’t allowed to vote until 1952's McCarran-Walter Act, which also allowed Asians to become naturalized citizens. Politicians such as Patsy Mink, the first Asian woman representative, and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman representative, drafted policies like Title IX and other bills expanding education and healthcare. These policies written by minority women led to sweeping reform in schools and other major institutions; their legacy is still evident today. By changing the lens in which history is viewed in the United States, our history changes drastically. We begin to acknowledge the issues within our country and the mistakes that we made. But we will also begin to picture the United States as the diverse nation it is. Still, people are relentlessly fighting to get this history told today. Ethnic studies programs are often few and far between. Even when we look back at the beginning of the movement to teach Ethnic Studies or the History of Minorities in America it was often met with violence and inaction. San Francisco State, which now has one of the premiere Schools of Ethnic Studies, was born out of protest in 1968. A school with a primarily white student body had a growing Asian and Black Population, and these POC students demanded that a School of Ethnic Studies be created. The Black student Union and the Third World Liberation front (TWLF) started a schoolwide strike demanding that an ethnic studies program be implemented. This was met with police force, brutality, and violence. The students went on strike for over a year, and the administration finally created the school. This brings me back to the topic of the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd. One of the officers present, while officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck, was Asian American. Ex-officer Tou Thao, remained complicit while Floyd laid helpless and even went so far as to tell people recording the injustice to back away. This event highlights the complexities of race relations and anti-Black sentiment in the Asian American Community. How we are forgetting the history and narrative of our people. How we choose to ignore the cries of other minorities to focus on our own. I think of the loss of identity as Asian Americans when an Asian American Police officer would remain complicit while a Black man was being murdered in front of them. The haunting term of my childhood echoes in my mind: White on the inside, yellow on the outside. When we look at the history of Asian Americans, Black Americans, Native Americans, Latinx Americans, and more, we are inseparable. Our stories, history, and communities are intertwined. We often forget the times other minority groups have come to aid the Asian community, especially in times of political injustice. We have let ourselves become a pawn in the game of race. As California is on the verge of becoming the first state in the country to mandate ethnic studies as part of public high school curriculum, I think of how far we have come and how far we have to go. If we want to get to the root of the issues our nation faces with racism, we need to fully acknowledge the truth of our past. America's history is the history of minorities. It always has been. We can’t deny the fact that our country was built off the backs of minorities. We can’t deny the contributions of minorities, as well as our racist history. We can’t deny the systems of oppression that were created and still exist today. America’s history is the history of minorities: the good, bad, and ugly. We can’t forget that, because to forget it, would be to tear us apart at the seams. - Chris Fong Chew

Note: we do not intend to speak for the Black community. Rather, we seek to educate fellow Asians on the history behind the n-word and why non-Black individuals should not use the term. We are still teenagers and learning every day, so please let us know if our information is incorrect! Dear Asian Youth, As I sat waiting for the lady at the front desk to call me up for driving test, I heard an Asian teenager use the n-word. Did I hear that right? Quite frankly, I was shocked. I never spoke the word, let alone listened to songs with the word in its lyrics. So when I heard the racial slur slip out of that boy's mouth ever so casually, I was reminded of just how many people are oblivious to the history behind the n-word. It's simple, really: if you're not Black, don't use the n-word. Known as a prominent racial pejorative in the 21st century, the n-word originated from the Spanish word negro, a descendent of the Latin word niger, both of which mean “Black.” Its derogatory usage rose from the Jim Crow era when African Americans were discriminated against and persecuted by white countrymen. Even further back in history was the Civil War, when American soldiers fought on their own soil against their own people to abolish the institution of slavery. African Americans served vital roles on both sides: they worked as nurses, spies, cooks, blacksmiths. Southern general Robert E. Lee wrote, “The chief source of information to the enemy is through our negroes." While they readily joined and fought bravely with their white counterparts on Union and Confederate lines, the end of war only resulted in continued hostility toward Black people. Although more Blacks became free men in Northern states, they were still seen as nothing close to equals. Even today, Black people are held to preconceived notions of being "thuggish" and "uneducated". Despite pernicious effects, the n-word continues to be carelessly tossed around in non-Black communities, furthering racism and undermining centuries of hardship. As hip-hop is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream media, the n-word has made frequent appearances in the lyrics of many well-known songs. Black artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and XXXtentacion have chosen to incorporate the term into their music. Their music has topped international charts, streamed by millions of all races and ethnicities. As we are not members of the Black community, we do not have the right to determine whether or not Black artists should include the n-word in their art, as it is a large part of their ancestral history. However, what should be noted is that the prevalence of the n-word in pop culture has normalized the use of the term. Music does not have a set audience, meaning all types of people are exposed to songs that include the n-word. People may settle into the mindset that if the term is included in music, it is not as severe or impactful. Even so, according to The Chronicle writer, Victoria Priester, “This word wasn’t used to antagonize, belittle and demean people who look like you for centuries, so it isn’t your choice to decide when enough time has passed for it to be okay to use again”. “It's just a song lyric” and “I didn't mean it like that” are not valid excuses for using a racial slur. In fact, many Black artists have expressed that they are vehemently opposed to the idea of non-Black people using the n-word. A white female fan, for instance, went on stage and rapped along to Kendrick Lamar's “m.A.A.d city” during a music festival. When the fan repeatedly sang the n-word, Lamar was reportedly extremely angry and asked the fan to be removed from the stage. Even though it may be a part of lyrics, it doesn’t automatically give non-Black people the right to use it. Although I cannot speak for and do not intend to speak for the Black community, I want to use this platform to call out those who defend themselves by saying, “ I wasn’t trying to be offensive, it was just a joke!” No matter what your intention is, the word still holds great impact. When it comes to racial slurs like the n-word, the interpretation is far more important than the intent. It’s simple. You do not need to be subscribed to some racist doctrine to say something with racist implications. The blood-and-sweat-soaked history behind the n-word is not something to be taken lightly. This slur is not only reflective of slavery, but also shoulders the history of discrimination and prejudicial behavior against Black people. It has been used for decades by non-Black people as an oppressive term to dehumanize the Black community. As outsiders, it is not up to us to dictate how this term is used or how it circulates within conversation. By using this racial slur, there is an assertion of authority — an authority we are not entitled to. Mitigating the use of such a damaging slur comes in several steps. First, educate yourself. Make sure you know the underlying meaning of the n-word and why it is so offensive. In doing so, you will begin to understand the systemic racism the Black community has endured. Second, share your knowledge with non-Black friends, parents, and relatives. Hold conversations with them so they acknowledge that the creation of the n-word is a product of racism. Finally, call people out. When you hear peers misusing the word, speak up. By calling someone out, you are holding them accountable. Though you may hurt feelings and create discomfort, that is a small price to pay compared to the grand scheme of things. Upon noticing my frustration at deaths caused by police brutality, my mom asked to have a chat with me. From why #BlackLivesMatter is a legitimate movement to the murders of Amaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and and countless more, I explained the centurities of hatred toward the Black community. Out of the blue, she said, “To be honest, when I see Black people sometimes, I get scared of them.” My first instinct was to call her a racist. How could she, after hearing my reasons for allyship, tell me she sees an entire group of people through racist lenses? “Their lack of education makes them more dangerous,” she stated. I was baffled. “What? This is about the oppression Black people have endured since slavery. I will never have to worry about being pulled over and losing my life for my skin color. And the stereotype that African Americans are less educated effectively undermines their capabilities and who they are as a person. Not to mention, the existing education gap between Black and white communities stem from redlining. Even in the Civil Rights Movement era, Blacks were denied various opportunities.” She looked at me after I shared my thoughts and asked to see articles and videos covering police brutality. “Thank you for sharing your views. I will look more into what is happening,” she later said. You see, though it may be uncomfortable to discuss #BlackLivesMatter with your loved ones, even one conversation can change their viewpoint. Black people need to feel safe in America. As we learn to love ourselves and our skin color, we must fulfill our duty and stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. We need to stand with them so that blatant racism is not normalized. The first step is to completely remove the n-word from our tongues. When you begin to respect Black people and their history, you will earn their respect as well. - Josephine and Eva

Dear Asian Youth, “Asian Don't Raisin.” Ever heard of that phrase? Take a look at Constance Wu, Sandra Oh, Daniel Dae Kim, and Kumail Nanjiani and you'll know exactly why. These people look half their age and still have that youthful glow so many people strive for. It is no secret that Asians generally look younger than they actually are. To many, aging can be stressful. Many experience weight gain, wrinkles, changes in hair color, reduced joint mobility, and worsened memory. However, in the context of Asians, many of these physical symptoms are reduced or occur later in life. Now, I’m not just making these claims because I myself am Asian — there’s an actual science behind this. One of the first signs of aging appears in the skin in the form of dark spots and lines. It has been proven that more melanin (the pigment that determines skin’s sensitivity to light) signifies less photoaging (damage caused by the sun’s rays). Melanin works by blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation and preventing DNA damage. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause melanoma, sunburns, and different types of carcinomas. Due to the lack of melanin, in naturally light skin, you can often find fine lines caused by photoaging earlier than their darker-skinned counterparts. Similar to Asians, the saying “Black Don't Crack” is analogous. The baseline principle is the more the melanin, the later the signs of aging. In parallel, the same principle is applied in terms of hair. You can often find people dying or plucking out grey hairs; this greyness is caused by a lack of pigment. As aging occurs, the cells begin to die, and so does the amount of melanin. So when the hair begins to grow back, it is less pigmented, thus grey. In Asians, there is a considerable amount of melanin in both hair and skin, so the reduced pigmentation appears later in life. Not only are Asians less susceptible to wrinkles and greying, but the aging process’ quintessential skin sag is less frequent. Because of the unique bone structure many Asians have, it acts as a preventative measure. The skin droops under the eyes, around the cheeks, and on the neck. To explain why Asians seem to still have that youthful *snatch* years later, we must understand the composition of the face. Speaking generally, the face is made up of bones, muscles, and soft tissue. When aging occurs, especially in women after menopause, bones lose their density (due to the lack of calcium and other bone-building minerals), and the soft tissue deteriorates. The result is the “raisin,” or wrinkly skin that is commonly associated with older age. But in the case of Asians, there is generally a wider bone structure that allows for more time before soft tissue deterioration is visible. This means that Asians have a longer time with taut skin. (Thank evolution for that bone structure and those rosy cheeks!) However, despite the advantage Asians may have, we should still take precautionary measures to lessen the signs of aging. Here are some preventive measures you can take to reduce your signs of aging: Listen to your Asian mother! Sunscreen, hats, long sleeves — protect yourself from that photoaging Eat a balanced diet Exercise Cleanse your face gently and often Moisturize to keep your face hydrated We often think of aging to be something so restricting and scary. We like to think that we could have done something different when we were younger, but growing older shouldn’t be limiting. Don't let age define what you can and can't do; it is merely a natural part of life. And when the time comes, embrace the greys! - Allison

Dear Asian Youth, Pandemics like the one we are in right now are often referred to as “great equalizers”; they affect everyone the same, regardless of dividers like race or social class. They are collective experiences we all share and have touched every corner of the world. However, COVID-19 has proven to be the opposite, affecting certain minorities like low-income groups and people of color disproportionately. For many people, school isn’t just for learning. Public education can bridge the divide between social classes, and many schools have programs that guarantee low-income students reduced-price or even free meals at school. Every day, the National School Lunch Program provides for over 30 million children. In New York, around 114 thousand homeless students rely on local schools for basic services like hot meals, medical care, and even laundry. The closing of most public schools in the country has been especially detrimental to these children, resulting in nation-wide food insecurity. Additionally, the benefits of schools go beyond primary and secondary education and actually extend to higher education. For low-income students, earning a degree is already challenging without the added stress of a global pandemic. According to a 2015 study, only about 14% of low-income students earn a degree within 8 years. Now that colleges are sending students home, many of these low-income students return to drastically different living conditions. While all students share the same dorms at college, moving out of campus means that some of the low-income students are returning to a cramped or tense living situation. Juggling family responsibilities makes it hard to study, and many of them may not have access to reliable internet or technology. An additional casualty of this pandemic are college towns, for when students are sent home, there are many losses for community services like public transport and freezes on projects like hospital expansions. This year, the reduction of off-campus activities created many challenges for local retailers. In Ithaca, New York, the 25 thousand college students contribute $4 million each week to the local economy. The students at Iowa State University account for one half of the population of the city of Ames, and, since the pandemic, daily bus riders there dropped from 33 thousand to one thousand, causing a loss of over $9 million. These are just a few examples of where COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on higher education, and how the results of that have spread further to hurt groups that depend on these institutions for their livelihood. Pre-existing social inequalities or vulnerabilities only get worse after a disaster like this one, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle and widening socio-economic divides. Of course, we cannot talk about inequalities without discussing racial inequality, especially in light of the Black Lives Movement that has recently gained momentum. Historically, racial inequality has been the norm in America, and racist policies like redlining and blockbusting display this well. Basically, in the 1930s, mortgage lenders would refuse loans to African Americans and minorities because they lived in “red” areas, regions that were deemed to be financially risky. While white families were able to get loans, purchase homes, and gain wealth, these minority races remained in poorer neighborhoods; this difference magnified over time. Wealthy (ie white) neighborhoods had better public schools and attracted more businesses, while the “red” neighborhoods where people of color lived remained impoverished. Additionally, when minority races move into a neighborhood, “white flight” often occurs; white families quickly sell their homes before the price of their property drops. Even though these practices eventually became illegal, poorer neighborhoods couldn’t afford to move up, and to this day—almost a century later—communities are still segregated by race. So how does this relate to COVID-19? Well, because of these housing policies, African American communities experience inequities in health status and health care because of these longstanding structural inequalities. They are more likely to live in crowded households (because of unaffordable housing) and share many resources in addition to housing like transportation, food, and childcare; this increases their risk of exposure and transmission of the virus. Additionally, they are more likely to live in neighborhoods with environmental contamination. Studies have directly linked COVID-19 deaths to poor air quality, which is worse in poorer communities. To add to that, they also experience health inequities such as an increased risk of preexisting conditions. Because African American communities are often located in food deserts or suffer food insecurities, they are more susceptible to conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This leads to increased mortality, and low-income communities—which tend to be communities of color—are the hardest hit by these pandemics. In addition to that, they also endure gaps in health insurance coverage and unequal access to health services, which only deepens the divide in the quality and accessibility of their healthcare. Being a majority-black city, Detroit, Michigan, is becoming a disease epicenter. About 79% of its population is black, and over 80% of the state’s COVID-19 cases are found in that city. In Chicago, African Americans make up only 30% of the population but make up 50% of the virus cases and 68% of deaths. In New York, the death rate of African Americans is twice as high as that of white Americans. It can be seen that statistically, African Americans are disproportionately more likely to get infected and die. They often also don’t have the means or the mobility to leave these disease hotspots, leaving them trapped in dangerous regions. Health inequality is also a problem for more affluent communities because poorer neighborhoods can often speed up the rate the virus spreads. Things like universal access to affordable and high-quality health care, paid sick leave, and expanded food assistance programs could be implemented to alleviate some of the pain struggling communities are facing right now. But there are a few things we should keep in mind: victim-blaming further magnifies inaccurate stereotypes and we need to remember that while we may not be racist, the continuation of racist policies has only propelled white Americans forward by preventing colored societies from progressing. Especially now with the #BlackLivesMatter movement fresh in our minds, it is important to take advantage of this moment where America’s social system is made vulnerable. While we cannot really stop the spread of COVID-19 (beyond properly social distancing and practicing good hygiene!), supporting African Americans will help a large portion of those affected by this pandemic. Eliminating white supremacy is a start to helping African Americans make a life for themselves as equals in our society. As an Asian American, I cannot possibly understand the rage they feel after generations of oppression. However, it is also our obligation to do what we can to help enact change. We can donate our money and time to black organizations. We need to hold police accountable and limit the power they maintain within our community. This can mean contacting your local officials or even voting them out to get new officials into the system that will make sure police actually serve time, demilitarize them, and redirect funds to other community services. All of the information on how to do this is readily available online—do research! This is a momentous period in history, and we cannot let it slip away; we need to set precedents and pass legislation that will have a national effect, and for ordinary citizens, that means voting. Diseases don’t respect the boundaries that separate the rich from the poor. However, while this virus can infect anyone, it affects those that are experiencing things like racism and financial instability to a much greater extent, which only serves to further the divides that split our country. In other words, those most vulnerable are the same ones who can least afford it. - Erika

Dear younger self, You were one of the biggest bookworms in your class, and yet in 2020 you will sit at home feeling more uneducated and ashamed than ever. You will watch as the world swirls in unrest around you, on the precipice of a social revolution. You’ve read every book on your bookshelf at home, but oh dear, are you still ignorant about so many issues. Because your bookshelf does not hold enough books about the history of African Americans and their never-ending fight for the same privileges you are unknowingly indulging in every second of your seventeen years of life. You love watching movies, but oh dear, are you still ignorant, because you have not seen all the documentaries about the injustice they face. You did so well in that spelling bee when you were a child but you still don’t know the true definition of privilege. You don’t know that privilege is not drowning in panic and dread when you see lights flashing in the rearview mirror, not fearing for your life every time you walk out the front door, not fearing your parents may not come home from work one day, not fearing a needless bullet to the head or knee in the neck. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Tamir Rice. George Floyd. They felt all those things, while you do not. You don’t know that privilege is never feeling like you couldn’t breathe through the invisible smog of racism and injustice. You will be forced to reckon with your own pride as you are faced with the years of your unknown complicity. You’ve heard over and over again that history is written by the winners, but never questioned once that maybe the words in your textbook didn’t reveal it all. And you will realize that for every second you told yourself it wasn’t your business, or you didn’t want conflict, or it’s not your place to say anything--you allowed history to be written by the oppressors, again. For every second you remained silent, you were the empty space that allowed a finger to pull a trigger; for every second you remained silent, you were the the click of the handcuff locks on the wrong person; for every second you remained silent you were the gravity that helped pull Derek Chauvin’s knee into George Floyd’s neck. But you will learn. And you will realize that privilege means you never once worried about those things before because your skin is not black--that being another minority individual does not ever excuse you from staying silent. And you will start educating yourself. You’ll sign petitions and email representatives and take every resource shared on Instagram to heart. You’ll tell yourself that your privilege can be used for good--for fighting alongside your Black brothers and sisters, because they were never meant to do it alone. You’ll realize that you’ll never fully understand what it’s like to be Black, but know it is your duty to start washing away the deeply internalized racism and start walking alongside them. You’ll sit down at dinner with your parents and have the uncomfortable conversations about why people are saying “Black Lives Matter,” not “All Lives Matter.” And you’ll sit there and explain that when someone is locked in a burning room for too long, and their quiet requests were met with silence, they have no choice but to start getting loud. You’ll sit there and tell your family, and yourself, that the knee Colin Kaepernick took was in hopes that the knee in George Floyd’s neck needn’t have happened. But it did. And you’ll realize that the Great Wall constructed between Asians and Black people and other minorities has blinded us from truly seeing and loving one another; that it will take every yellow, black, brown, white hand on Earth to take down all those bricks. And that until then, the “with liberty and justice for all” you pledge every day means nothing. That the “equal protection of the laws” scrawled in our Constitution is nothing but empty promises. You could have been the biggest bookworm in the world, read every book on every bookshelf, won every spelling bee--but until you swallow your pride and take your yellow hands and join them with the black and brown and white and every color of the human race, the book of humanity on Earth will be washed with blood. Sincerely, your future self. Humbled, ashamed, and still learning Yi-Ann Li