I am just a simple invisible Asian man who feels powerless. But with all that has been happening to the AAPI community, I felt, drawing from the courage of others, to finally speak. I've resided in the U.S. for 42 years, and I've experienced the full spectrum of hatred in all its forms. The feeling of isolation was painful but what hurt the most was accepting such behaviors as norms and telling myself nothing will ever change. However, now, we are all compelled to speak. We have all reached the boiling point of falling in line, being slapped on the other cheek, and resisting with further melancholic patience. For the sake of our future AAPI generation, the call to protest, act, and voice our solidarity is now. We are all proud Americans and none of us should feel as though we do not belong.
Where you from? You speak English well.
Thank you for asking, I will gladly tell.
I'm an Asian American foremost you see,
But you won't recognize that completely.
When I say I'm from Korea, you say North or South?
Then point out the funny sounds from Asian mouths,
Ching, Chong, Wong, Ping, Ling, Lee...
Ignorance personified if you ask me.
I've been called every unimaginable name,
Chink, Jap, Gook, Viet Cong, we all look the same,
If I protest, you silence me with intimidation,
How can I ever express my isolation?
I've been robbed, beaten, kicked, bullied
From elementary to graduate school, really!
I've had a gun pointed at my head in a home invasion,
I saw my life flashing by, eternity, no revision.
Yes, I'm Asian, but still an American you see,
I'm proud of my heritage in the land of the free,
I've lived here since I was eight, now I'm fifty,
But assimilation culturally is a little bit risky.
As America still sees me as a stereotype of fallacies,
Who don't have the divine rights to live contrarily?
Why can't we all get along and find common ground in our humanity?
Instead of seeking vengeance founded in narratives of victors who revise history.
The constitution was written on the principles of freedom and liberty.
Then why it is so hard for all of us Americans to live in unity?
A young child looked at me,
Called me Ching, Chung, Wong,
To gleefully mock what he sees,
His father smiled and nodded his head proudly,
I walked away to avoid confrontation,
But in my heart was only consternation.
What is being taught in homes that teens
Can spit at me in public spaces?
That I am an open target of heartless faces.
When we got robbed the police officers were laughing;
One said, "I think they own a chink restaurant," gleaming.
When by parents were attacked on the streets, no one helped,
The DA didn't care, no elder or hate crime issued or felt.
This is my American dream, shattered hopes and aspirations,
But l still love this country of freedom and inspiration.
Yes, I'm Asian, but still an American you see,
I'm proud of my heritage in the land of the free,
I've lived here since I was eight, now I'm fifty,
But assimilation culturally is a little bit risky.
As America still sees me as a stereotype of fallacies,
Who don't have the divine rights to live contrarily?
Why can't we all get along and find common ground in our humanity?
Instead of seeking vengeance founded in narratives of victors who revise history.
The constitution was written on the principles of freedom and liberty.
Then why it is so hard for all of us Americans to live in unity?
I've been silent for 42 years, but I Noh Won must speak.
The pain of hatred lingers but stoic Asians surmounts other's disbelief.
Go back to your country, we don't want you here they say
But America is our home...where are we going to stay?
In that regard, please stop the hate
And embrace the love that truly relates
I am Noh Won, but I hope one day we all can be One. Peace!
