Today, January 21, is my deadline to complete the layout of Asian Wisconzine's February issue, but as late as this morning, I haven't yet written my editorial. For the first time in two years, after publishing 25 solid issues, I couldn't seem to get inspired by anything, especially with the snow storm burying my car just outside my door, a long to-do list, and a pile of bills to pay.
My inspiration came while listening to the homily of Msgr. Michael Hippee, parish pastor at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Atwood Ave. He talked about "walls" and "cages," initially in relation to a man who, after spending 31 years on death row, would soon be put to death by lethal injection in Wisconsin. He said that people build walls and cages to separate other people, especially those "different" from them, for various reasons. Msgr. Hippee then lamented how we actually build walls that destroy relationships as a result.
Msgr. Hippee's message hit me deeply, especially because of the recent shooting and stabbing death of a Hmong hunter in Marinette County by a White person. Was this a hate crime, committed in retaliation to the shooting death of six White individuals by Chai Vang two years ago? Chai Vang, who now serves six life terms ("caged" for the rest of his life) reportedly claimed that racial slurs were hurled at him by his victims. As an Asian American who has personally experienced discrimination and prejudice in this country, I understand what Chai Vang felt and therefore, emphatize with him; however, I believe that his crime was not justified. He took lives!
What really frustrated me then and now were the "walls" and "cages" created by almost everyone, even among Asian Americans, by either condemning the man and ostracizing him, instead of condemning his action; or hailing him as a "hero" for standing up against racism. Mainstream media actually added fuel to the fire by putting Chai Vang in a "cage" when they described him as a "Sharpshooter" and "Distinguished Army Rifleman" in their headlines; and the Hmong community in general when one major media outlet wrote: "Locals have complained that the Hmong, refugees from Laos, do not understand the concept of private property and hunt wherever they see fit. " (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=274388).
Instead of building walls and cages, we should build bridges and connectors, as Msgr. Hippee suggested. How do we do that exactly? A good start would be to educate each other! We ethnic communities should talk about our cultures and traditions while we learn from the majority community about theirs, in addition to language, laws, rules, and regulations. Understanding is the key to acceptance. But first, let us open the door of our own cages and set ourselves free. Let's speak up and unite as a group. At the same time, our chosen home and country should break down its walls and let us in. |
