No words

As for the Japanese earthquake + tsunami…I haven’t written up a post, because I have no words. I am overwhelmed by the images and the stories coming out of Japan, from stories about the survival of one baby, to the many many deaths and news reports highlighting shocked and weeping parents searching for children and people searching the debris for loved ones, to stories about cats and dogs being found alive, to the news about pending nuclear reactor disaster, to stories about the small core group of nuclear reactor engineers (heroes) staying behind to work on the reactors, to footage of the first minutes of the tsunami, to stories about little towns that are no more, to the many many personal stories that touch my quivering, heavy heart.

I have no words. And you can pray, but I’m sorry, prayers can only do so much, because if you believe in G*d, he’s already sent an earthquake and a tsunami, and now it’s up to humans to pick up the pieces. So send money, if you can. Because right now, that’s better than any blog post. And because in this situation, prayer helps yourself more than those in need.

• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. Or visit Redcross.org
• International Medical Corps..or text MED to 80888 to donate $10.
• Doctors Without Borders is also sending teams to Japan.
• The International Fund for Animal Welfare is deploying a team to assist with animal rescue in Japan. Donations will be used to buy pet food, veterinary supplies, vaccines, and other necessities for animals needing help.
• ShelterBox offers disaster relief that delivers emergency shelter to people affected by disaster worldwide. They were interviewed by CNN recently about shelterboxes enroute to Japan. They are an amazing cause. You can donate on their website.
• Bakesale for Japan, an amazing nationwide bakesale for Japan organized by Samin is still taking direct donations for Peace Winds America.

Anti-Asian Racist Video

If you’re on my FB and/or follow me on twitter, you’ve seen my updates on the anti-Asian racist video by Alexandra Wallace. For a second, you just wish this were fake and unreal–but it is sadly for real. She really is a student at UCLA…who at one point in the video does a rendition of “Ching-Chong-ese” that outdoes Rush Limbaugh’s version.

I have too many stories that include people like her, in my life. I am angry and hurt by her actions and words–but I am not going to retaliate by calling her names. I do hope she gets disciplined, and is mandated to attend diversity appreciation classes. And in my dreams, I hope she is sent to Japan to help the tsunami + earthquake survivors that she demeans in her video. (If Gilbert Gottfried’s contract with Aflac is rescinded because of his untimely jokes about Japan’s tragic natural disaster, I don’t see why she should go unpunished).

I hear that an Asian gang has a hit on her–but that’s not cool, people. No need to go there. I see lots of people backing her up, and saying she is right–and that just makes me very very sad. Why do THEY have to go there?

Her words are the kind of thing I heard everyday while growing up, 25+ years ago. Back then, we just bore it in silence, or did our best while standing alone. Now, I’m inspired to see an entire community stand together and push back…and to see that community being comprised of not only Asian Americans, but all of our friends. We have more power as a community than we have ever had, and I am so so proud of how far we have come.

And here are some sites that can provide you with better updates:

• The LA Weekly Blog has updated news on the situation. Last night, Wallace issued a curt apology. Not enough of an apology. Not enough.
• The Daily Bruin is reporting on this as well. The article includes quotes from administration that disapprove of her behavior. Even if she’s invoking her First Amendment rights, they are disgusted that she is using them to proliferate hate.
• New Yorker in Seoul has a blog post up, one that includes the Asian Pacific Coalition at UCLA’s articulate letter responding to the matter. They advise the following:

  1) Email Chancellor Gene Block (chancellor AT ucla DOT edu) and Assistant Vice Chancellor Robert J. Naples (rnaples AT saonet DOT ucla DOT edu) to report this matter as a violation of Student Conduct.

  2) Post a message on Chancellor Block’s Facebook page expressing your concern:
  http://www.facebook.com/uclachancellor

• On March 18, Alexandra Wallace posted an apology and announced that she will be dropping out of UCLA. Was this of her own volition (“there are toooo many Asians heeeere!”) or did the administration “encourage” her to withdraw? (UCLA is taking no action against her). Either way, I am sad that she received death threats–I had hoped this was a learning opportunity for her, and I hope it still is.