Family + Community = ‘Ohana - May 16
Flight or fight is the response to threat. Asian Americans may dismiss the issue, instead focusing on family concerns instead of societal problems. Or we may retaliate and act in an anti-White or anti-Black manner. Either response, unfortunately, maintains America’s vicious cycle of racial violence.
Jesus offers a radical, third way. He invites us, as Asian American Christians, to forgive and reconcile with our perpetrators. We are to seek restoration even with those who hurl racial epithets and profanities while spitting at our elders. Jesus himself modeled this peacemaking while being abused, and He calls us to this path today. May we who have been excluded invite America to Jesus’ gracious hospitality and lead a movement of justice.
Russell Jeung
Dr. Russell Jeung, of San Francisco State University Asian American Studies, is co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate.