About 10,000 people gathered in Las Vegas in support of immigration reform yesterday (10 April 2010). Speakers included Congressman Luis Gutierrez from Illinois and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
While the stereotype is that immigration is a "Latino issue", millions of Asians and others are affected by our broken immigration system as well. I was deeply disappointed to see very few Asian Americans at the rally yesterday. The only Asian group that I witnessed was Korean Resource Center and NAKASEC (whom I took the bus with on the way to Vegas).
One of the biggest reasons that could possibly explain the lack of Asian American participation in the immigration field is our culture. Coming out of the shadow and advocating for immigration reform in public is often seen as something that's shameful and dishonorable to our family. Let me tell you, it was extremely difficult for me to make my first speech at the LA City Hall regarding the Dream Act last year. I was scared of facing deportation. I didn't want others to look at me and treat me differently than before. I was not sure if coming out was the "right" thing to do.
Believe me when I say that... this might sound crazy but I even wrote a will the day before my first public speech at the LA City Hall. It's pretty hilarious now that I think about it but that's how scared I was.
Asian Americans, in the infamous words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we cannot wait any longer! We must all come out of the shadow, tell our friends and families about our struggles, and become active! How long will you persist in sitting down at home and watch others active on TV? Where is your sense of self responsibility? Why do you depend on others (citizens and non-citizens) to sacrifice their time and efforts for YOUR benefits? Get up and do something!
I know what it's like to tell others about your status. I have been there, and I want to help you out. Take 20 seconds to email me at youngchandavid@gmail.com
If you want to help me fight for the Dream Act or the comprehensive immigration reform, you can email me too!
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