Hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been at an all-time high in part by racism occurring during COVID-19. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found that anti-Asian American hate crimes reported to police rose 149% between 2019 and 2020. It’s important to note that this only includes reported cases, as many incidents go unreported. It’s vital that the Stevens community comes together to support the AAPI community, not only now, but always.
In light of this, sisters and Stevens students Briana Cheng (Senior) and Catherine Cheng (Sophomore) have started a #STOPASIANHATE bracelet fundraiser to raise money for the Asian American Legal and Defense Education Fund (AALDEF). In detail, they explained their motives to start their fundraiser, the importance of their cause, and why it means so much to them.
Briana explained that her, Catherine, and their friend Emily O’Neill created a successful bracelet fundraiser for Black Lives Matter and Pride Month. They were surprised with the positive responses they received, so Briana and Catherine decided to start another one. They created a new fundraiser for a cause close to their hearts. Briana highlighted that AAPI hate is not new, and they wanted to do their part as Asian Americans to spread awareness. In addition, Briana explained that the AALDEF uses its platform to fight for the equality of the AAPI community.
Catherine described more about the specifics of their bracelets. “We are selling bracelets that we named after meaning and significant symbols of Chinese culture and priced them at lucky numbers in hopes of sharing our culture with the community (which are described in our post on Instagram!). All bracelets are made to order so do not worry about us running out! We will ask a series of questions like, ‘what are your exact wrist measurements? would you like a looser or tighter fit?’ just to get a better idea of sizing and depending on if you’d like to customize and such.”
Briana described her experiences as an Asian American woman in detail. “I am a Chinese woman. Before the pandemic I was lucky enough to have never really been a victim of racism. Of course, I was the punchline of many jokes: my small eyes, my intellect, and my eating habits. I was asked once if I carried soy sauce with me to school. None of that really bothered me until the COVID-19 Pandemic. I was walking home under the overpass by 14th street when a group of high school boys started riding towards me on their bikes. Immediately they started verbally harassing me: ‘oh look Covid is coming, Kung flu, go back to China.’ I had started to realize that even though I am an American, born and raised, I wouldn’t always be seen as one. Even some people in my own community started using terms like ‘Chinese Virus’ and “Kung flu,’ I have simply had enough of the microaggressions. Asian Americans aren’t the punchline of your jokes and I feel that it is my duty to help spread awareness as a Chinese American woman.”
In addition, Catherine explained the story of her grandmother. “When I was younger my family and I were living in a predominantly white neighborhood in New Jersey. My sisters and I were playing outside while my Grandma was gardening in our front yard near our mailbox. We see a red car drive by slowly a couple of times, looping back to be in front of our house. The red car stops and a white teen boy rolls down his passenger window to hit my grandma with water balloons before driving off laughing. They drenched my grandma with water and caused her to fall back. Now my grandma is one of the strongest and toughest women I know so although she fell back, she got back up to stand up for herself which is also one of the things I admire about her.”
As a community, it is necessary that Stevens students come together to support one another. Catherine stated, “One last thing I want to say to the rest of the Stevens community is that discrimination is not just one race, it involves all. If you can help stand against Asian discrimination, help stand against Black discrimination, help stand against Islamophobia, help stand against Anti-Semitism and the prejudice against Jews, help stand against discrimination against Native Americans. Let’s all help and support all races, ethnicities, and minorities.”
If you would like to purchase a bracelet, please contact Briana (@brikate29) or Catherine (@catt.chengg) through Instagram direct message. Their fundraiser is taking place until May 1, and they’ve raised about $900 so far for AALDEF.
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