Why Asian Americans Must Speak Up
by COUNCIL MEMBER DARIN MANO and DR. KAREN KWAN
A common Japanese proverb translates to, “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” Contrast this with the American idiom, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” and a fundamental difference between Eastern and Western cultures begins to emerge. American society and political systems recognize people for speaking out and standing up for themselves. However, in many Asian cultures the best way to get ahead is often to blend in. This difference is central to understanding why Anti-Asian American hate crimes often go under-reported and why Asian Americans are often marginalized or invisible within systems of power. With the continued rise in hate crimes across the Asian American / Pacific Islander and other marginalized groups, we are calling on our community to speak up and fight for equity.
The terms “In-Group” and “Out-Group” describe a Social Psychology phenomenon by which people tend to categorize others as either insiders or outsiders. Our brains default to this basic binary to help us know how to interact with strangers. This is true of religious beliefs, political affiliations, or even one’s favorite sports team. Though we can choose to wear a Utah Jazz hat or put political stickers on our bumper, we have less control over the shape of our eyes or how prominent our nose bridge is. We believe racial bias is the easiest, most dangerous, and most inaccurate form of In-Group and Out-Group bias.
Asian Americans have been called the “Model Minority” because we are perceived to fit better into white societal norms than other race groups. Perhaps perpetuation of the Model Minority Myth is the result of a cultural desire not to stand out and a survival instinct to be part of the In-Group. It’s not uncommon for Asian Americans to be told by close friends that they don’t even think of us as Asian. Though meant as a compliment, these comments perpetuate the problematic In-Group/Out-Group mentality and reward Asian Americans for fitting in and staying quiet.
As COVID-19 related racism and violence has swept our country, many families are having discussions about whether to go public with their experiences of Anti-Asian hate or stay quiet in an effort to protect themselves. For decades it has been safer for Asian Americans to pretend that they did not experience racism. Calling attention to the racism we experience could mean abandoning the real or perceived safety of the In-Group. This decision is personal and we respect one’s choice to remain quiet. But we also hope more Asian Americans will speak out and bear the hammer strikes that might come by sticking up.
As Asian Americans, it is our responsibility to stand alongside Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in challenging the systems which have, for generations, concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a few. We must not be complicit in the oppression of others nor should we continue to ignore the overt racism or microaggressions we experience. If we are not brave enough to call attention to injustice, we allow that injustice to continue into future generations.
There have been Asian Americans willing to stand up for their rights throughout history. The Moab Isolation Center was a WWII confinement site reserved for the “most dangerous” Japanese Americans. Typically this meant that they tried to stick up for their rights. We are adding our voice to New York Congresswoman Grace Meng’s when she asked Americans “to initiate and have difficult and necessary conversations.” Now is the time to have those conversations and prove, as the late Senator Daniel Inouye said, “Americanism is not a matter of skin color.”
Darin Mano
Darin Mano is the Salt Lake City Councilmember representing District 5. He is a 4th generation Japanese American, architect, small business owner, and educator. He has a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Architecture from the University of Utah.
Dr. Karen Kwan
Karen Kwan is a member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 34. Karen is a descendent of Chinese American Railroad Workers and an Associate Professor in Psychology at the Salt Lake Community College. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah.