Virginia Tech

With the recent shootings at Virginia Tech, my dad warned me that I might feel some of the backlash. As an eighteen year old Korean living in Virginia (adopted by American parents), I expect nothing less. Racism is only surprising to me when I come across the odd few who can't imagine racism still existing. Before I show up at school tomorrow, I have to wonder if I'll be held accountable for another's acts...

The snide "Jackie Chan" jokes are rude; and the "Karate Kid" stereotypes are annoying, but they are a part of my life. They could even be considered part of my childhood. I went to a Catholic school for seven years of my life, and when I found myself exposed to a more multicultural public school for the first time in eighth grade, I was horrified. In the small school I grew up in, nobody made a big deal race. The majority of the school was Caucasian, but minorities were treated as equals. There was no need for a deliberate, conscious effort to treat all races equally, it was natural.

In eighth grade, as I transferred to a public middle school, I realized that this huge school of diversity did not have a proportionate amount of tolerance. Years later, nothing has changed. The school security guard made a racist joke, and teachers present laughed. The same teachers who talk about Martin Luther King Jr., the same teachers who talk about Malcolm X and Rosa Parks - laughed.

Meanwhile, students can't name 10 countries in Asia. It was a sad poll, but one that never fails to amaze teachers every year. After telling a student I was Korean, she asked if I speak "Asian". Others ask, "Where's Korea?", or "Are you Chinese or Japanese?" Being Korean, according to a peer of mine, means I can't be Asian (China is, of course, the entire continent of Asia). The one that really gets my blood boiling is, "What's the difference between all of you?" What's the difference between Korean and Japan? Or Korea and China? Or Korea and Germany? Separate cultures with separate borders, laws, and people, maybe?

Am I being too sensitive here? I don't believe so. If I were to drop a racial slur, I'd be out cold on the floor; I'm so glad they warned my "Chink [sic]" before I lost my temper. Does it all mount up to high school teasing? Absolutely not. I go to a small school of about 90 people, and generally speaking, I'd say I get along well with almost everyone. Is racism acceptable if it's just "high school teasing"? Are civil rights only for those out of high school?

This is a valid point, because already I see my first instant message gawking at the idea of an Asian serial killer. Are Asians immaculate, perfect beings? Are we all supposed to be good at math, science, and computers? There's nothing like seeing the people who argue so strongly against racism trample over my rights. Is this the freedom America promises? To be held accountable for actions of others because they share the same skin tone as you?

As much as other races are harping about how they are being discriminated against, how can they turn around and do the same to me? Martin Luther King Junior's dream did not include Asians? Where is our civil rights movement? At this time, 33 people have lost their lives, and all America has is "Jet Li" jokes? Families and friends of 33 people are in mourning, and I get attention for it? This was not a media stunt, this was the real thing, with real people, not an excuse for bigotry.