Dear , it’s time to address our anti-black racism JENNY CHONG MiC Staff Writer A statement from the Black Student Union “Are you sure you want to go to school there? Isn’t it near Detroit, which is full of dangerous black people?” said my Chinese dad after I had gotten accepted to the Uni- versity of Michigan last spring. My dad was not supportive of my decision to enroll at the University for a few reasons — one of them being his perception of Michigan as a crime-ridden state overflow- ing with violence among the black community. I told him, “Actually, the Univer- sity isn’t that close to Detroit, and the black population at the school is less than 5 percent.” “Oh, of course there aren’t a lot of black people attending. They’re too lazy to get in,” he responded. Appalled at the words that had just come out of my dad’s mouth, I expressed my disgust. “That’s rac- ist. You shouldn’t say that,” I said, leaving the conversation at that without reading into his anti-black racist statements. Unaware of it at the time, I had enabled my dad to continue believ- ing his racist behavior was accept- able by not speaking up. In being silent, I was also at fault for subcon- sciously perpetuating anti-black racism. One year later, in the wake of the recent violence and brutality against members of the Black com- munity, I am reflecting on the past in an attempt to unearth my inter- nalized anti-blackness and learn how to be an Asian-American ally. On May 25, George Floyd, who was a 46-year-old black man died in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers, among them, Tou Thao, a Hmong-American. In a video of Floyd’s arrest, Thao is seen looking on as his partner, Derek Chauvin, holds his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. The Black Student Union at the University of Michigan would first like to extend wholehearted con- dolences to the families of recent victims of police brutality: Bre- onna Taylor, George Floyd, David McAtee and Tony McDade. How- ever, our concerns and expressions are not limited to these victims as there have been countless instanc- es of police abuse for as long as this country has existed. The most well-known are those from the past decade, where we have witnessed many unjust murders of Black folks at the hands of police. To name a few: Gabriella Nevarez, Mya Hall and Atatiana Jefferson. So, the questions we should ask ourselves are: How is it already 2020 with things having not substantially changed for the better? Also, how can we implement reform such that we do not find ourselves hav- ing this same discussion with our children? Something has to give. It is time to bring those in positions of power to the table and demand that they affect change. This includes gov- ernment officials who are elected to serve their constituents and the people in charge of our criminal justice systems. We are tired of performative acts that create the illusion that people care — it is time to take this seriously. Actions show us more than any amount of characters in a letter or words in a prayer. We condemn excessive police force targeted at those pro- testing the slaughter of Black bod- ies and believe they should be given the same privileges to peacefully protest as those who protested stay-at-home orders. Moreover, the deployment of military forces by President Donald Trump’s Admin- istration, which is designed to dis- rupt those protesting the unequal treatment of Black folks in the U.S., is just another policy intended to set back this crucial movement. Additionally, we are disgusted by the way the media and our nation’s leaders have promoted the nar- rative that protesters are “thugs” who only intend to destroy proper- ty. Most protests around the nation have been non-violent displays of solidarity amongst oppressed, angry and empowered Black Americans and their allies. These overt displays of opposition to the forward progress of our cause are evidence of systemic and institu- tionalized racism and we will not tolerate it. To make matters worse, Black Americans must deal with the trauma of police brutality in the midst of a global pandemic. The irony of the current state of our country and world is not lost on us. Although the pandemic and police brutality may seem unrelated indi- vidually, the impact that both have had on the lives of Black Americans is rooted in the same issue: system- atic inequity and discrimination. At this time, we want to extend our deepest condolences to our com- munity members and families who are mourning lost lives and suffer- ing from increased health compli- cations and associated costs. We encourage everyone to stay updat- ed on the symptoms of COVID-19 and how it is spread. No matter how you choose to respond to current events, you should feel empowered in what- ever decision you make. Based on a history of student activism, we are confident that you all will make the best decision for yourselves and the larger community. The BSU will support you regardless of your response to current events. A Yelp review of America I’ve heard some rumors about this place. Apparently, the owners don’t even own the land on which this restaurant sits. The service here is terrible. The ambiance is lackluster. Let me correct myself: the atmosphere is hostile. Don’t get me started on the food. Their week- ly special of cultural appropriation comes with two sides: fearing peo- ple of color and the denial of white privilege. Sometimes, if we’re lucky — and it’s in season — they’ll add racial profiling onto the menu and a free dessert. Imagine hav- ing reverse racism a la mode with a brownie. Yummy right? This place has been here for what feels like centuries. Some people dragged my ancestors here because they just had to try it. I didn’t like the taste. I wanted to send it back. First, I tried speaking to other patrons. Maybe they would see something wrong with this restaurant. They said the food tasted great! Most of them are regulars and thought I was outra- geous for my negative review. I tried speaking to the managers. They ignored me. They didn’t both- er to hear or see me. If I ever decide to go to this restaurant again, it’ll be a curbside pickup. Oh, and no tip. All in all, I’d give it no stars. There are so many names to say. George Floyd, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Grey, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Mar- tin, or Philando Castile to name a few. Another year, another month, another day and another unarmed Black man and woman killed. To SOFÍA C. BISHOP MiC Guest Writer wake up every day, seeing these names, seeing graphic videos of their death, is traumatizing. When we urge others to say their name, it is because they can no longer say it for themselves and because some- one decided that their life had no value. Graphic videos, however, create an unimaginable amount of pain and perpetuate inherent trauma. How many more names are we going to have to say and scream until someone can finally see that this place is not safe? How many more brothers, husbands, fathers, mothers, daughters and granddaughters have to die? How many of our children across the diaspora need to grow up and have “the talk.” Not the birds and bees, but the “Here’s what you do when you interact with the police, are profiled or when someone deter- mines your skin color is a threat.” That makes the birds and the bees easy in comparison. How do you tell your teenage Black son, “Don’t wear that hoodie, wear bright colors when you go out with your friends and don’t move your hands off the wheel when you’re stopped?” Or your Black daughter, “Limit your passion because they will perceive you as angry. Remem- ber to work twice as hard, because you will only be given half.” What does that say about America? What does the silence from oth- ers say? The silence from others tells me that they do not value my life or the lives of others who look like me. Read more at michigandaily.com GRAPHIC BY MAGGIE WIEBE PROVIDED BY BLACK STUDENT UNION Read more at michigandaily.com 11 MICHIGAN IN COLOR Thursday, June 4, 2020 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com