The Mission of the YWCA-USA and all affiliates is to eliminate racism and empower women.
As part of that effort, Stand Against Racism is a nationwide effort to focus on ending racism in our country and in our communities. As we recognize the month of May as Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage month, we must also recognize the escalating acts of violence against our Asian American neighbors.
These violent acts generate a visceral reaction because they are spread across our media for all to see. Not so visual and much more subtle is the racism against Asian Americans that happens every day in small, perhaps even, unconscious ways.
One aspect of this is the use of micro-aggressions that appear in everyday conversations and sends the message that the person is different from the speaker. This is often unintentional but limits the exchange and perpetuates racism.
Micro-aggressions are comments or acts that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally express a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. Some examples include such comments as, “I just love your food” and “I bet you are really good at math and computers”. These comments, however unintentional, degrade and are as hurtful and harmful as more blatant forms of racism.
We can learn more about micro-aggressions, we can listen, and we can monitor our own comments. We can speak up when we hear one and not remain silent. We can use the opportunity to educate each other about the Asian American culture and the contributions made over generations. We can stop being bystanders and become ‘upstanders’, and support the person receiving the comment. Standing against racism means we actually speak up!
The YWCA of Genesee County has plans to continue to work with area agencies and groups to eliminate racism. We need more people to join our Advocacy Committee. Community members are welcome.
If you are interested, please call the YWCA of Genesee County at (585) 343-5808 and let us know that you are ready to Stand Against Racism!
(Ruth Andes is a member of the YWCA of Genesee County Board of Directors and is Chair of the Advocacy Committee. This letter is submitted on behalf of the Board.)
