#StopAsianHate from an adopted Asian
Time for another rant, today it's about #StopAsianHate. Being adopted, I hesitate to post about this issue. Growing up, my parents always celebrated the fact that I am Chinese, and therefore I never felt shame about the color of my skin or around my appearance. And while I may have looked different, I never felt like I had to try to fit in, I never had to feel welcome. Today, that makes me hesitate, because it feels like my anger and sorrow is somehow less valid... and effectively, I'm silencing my own voice. But when I see these acts of hate and violence, I realize those who perpetrate these acts don't see my past of my family - all they see is my race. And that makes me just as vulnerable as any other Asian. I don't want to stay silent, I can't. It's not "Chy-na," its China WE are not viruses, RACISM is. WE are not your model minority. WE belong here. I belong here.