“Go back to China, coronavirus!” Its the year 2021 and there is a pandemic. I was on my way to my car holding groceries when a middle aged guy yelled that to me. As this was my second racial encounter that week, I still had enough patience to not lose my cool. My first encounter was a white woman who stared at me while I blankly stared at her back until finally she walked up closer and said, “you know, it’s your people who caused all of this.” I blinked a slow blink and watched her get into her taxi. My friend, who is a complete stranger to me, but I now consider my friend quickly got out his phone and recorded the white lady calling her out on her racism. I’ve seen the video online with over 500,000 views, but it’s just one out of the many anti-Asian hate videos that has recently surged the internet during this past year.
“Asian American women attacks increase by 1900%.” As much as the news is devastating, it’s actually motivating, so I leave it on. Asian American actors and actresses are speaking out on this issue. They’re so calm, so professional. I wonder what would be their breaking point or if they’ve already reached it.
The phone rings as I’m preparing my lunch. It’s my mom. She never calls at this time. It’s 11AM here in California and 4AM in Guam. “Mom?” “Be careful out there. Auntie Dhel was pushed by a guy, and her head hit a crate. She got 10 stitches.”
Auntie dhel was my mom’s closest friend and had recently moved to California. In Guam, she owned a restaurant and always offered free food to my family and the people at our church. When my parents went to the Philippines for my dad’s check up appointments, Auntie Dhel would always bring my brother and me food.
“...so be safe ha? I love you anak.”
“I love you too mom”
Anak means my child in kapangpangan.
Not even five minutes later my brother calls me. “What are we going to do?” “Stop by around 7 tonight. I’ll call the cousins.”