By: Bianca Reyes, Center Spread Editor
When the Black Lives Matter protest seemed to reach its peak over the summer, one phrase repeated like a mantra amongst activists: “Check your privilege.” Granted, most of these chants were directed toward White people—the ones who have maintained the upper hand in society since what feels like the dawn of time—but it would be naïve of me to deny the way that my status as an Asian-American has granted me more leeway in life when compared to other people of color.
This isn’t necessarily to say that I haven’t faced any struggles as a person of color. It’s only recently that I’ve become more comfortable with my identity as a Filipino-American after a life long of grappling with my selfhood. I’ve also had my fair share of racist encounters, but these instances never escalated beyond the point of physical assault, nor was it ever at the hands of people who are supposed to be protecting me. It was then that I came to the realization that my struggles seem like a cake walk in comparison to the everyday struggles that Black people face in this country.
I have never had to worry about being racially profiled at a convenience store. I have never had to worry about my father not returning home from work after being pulled over for a broken tail light. I was never untrusting of police, and I have never feared them purely because of my race. The absence of all of these elements factor into the reason why I believe that I am, at least to some degree, privileged.
This privilege can be traced back to Asian-Americans being viewed as the “model minority.” The term essentially characterizes us as well-educated, hardworking citizens who have learned how to overcome our discrimination and reach success. Although the myth is problematic since it’s deeply rooted in racist stereotypes, it’s not entirely a bad thing. This simply means that we must learn to use our privilege for good.
There are plenty of ways that people can use their voice for good, but one of the best ways to utilize this privilege is to amplify Black voices. Listen when they talk about their struggles and empathize with them. Although we may never fully understand the hardships that they endure, listening and educating ourselves is the first step to change.
