Black-Asian Relations

I became interested in the relationship between African Americans and Asian Americans after researching Asian Americans for my senior project. Specifically, the concept of the "model minority" and its impact on how Americans of all colors viewed them. One of the main reasons the stereotype came to the mainstream is because it was used by politicians to target black power movements. For many black people, the idea of Asians as a model minority and their subsequent position in society directly countered their own oppression.

That then reminded me of something we learned in class, relating to the L.A. race riots of the late 90s. Specifically, a teenage girl, Latasha Harlins, was shot and killed by an Asian storekeeper on suspicion of her stealing. The storekeeper was fined and sentenced to community service, but did not receive any jail time. This outraged the black community in the U.S., as this had also come just 13 days after the beating of Rodney King.

Because of that tension, one of the main targets of the riots were Korean stores and neighborhoods. Financially, they were the population hardest hit by the looting. This was because, unlike in white neighborhoods, Koreatown was not protected at any point by the LAPD; owners had to defend their own homes.

This was just the most obvious example of black-Asian tension and violence. I also experienced racism when visiting Atlanta for school-related stuff, which got me to think more about this. I think many Asian Americans like to think that they can live "colorblind" - that is, they don't view themselves by account of their race. Unfortunately, I realized that isn't really how things happen, not outside the Bay Area at least. That definitely gave me a bit more empathy for African Americans in this area, and their social justice work in general: it's hard for them not to be color-conscious.

Both sides need to recognize that their biases toward each other are more due to white supremacy than the fault of either minority.

https://psmag.com/social-justice/justin-chon-los-angeles-riots-interview

https://diverseeducation.com/article/115839/

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/08/milwaukee-protests-asian-american-black-lives-matter-214184

https://theoutline.com/post/1351/black-asian-conflict-beauty-supply?zd=1&zi=me5vq4fa

http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/SOC217_PIMENTEL/asians2.pdf