EACHOTHER
Growing up, Washington State History made no mention of Chinese American history, Japanese American history, nor Filipino American history. If not for my grandparents, I would have no clue what Filipinos have endured during their time in Seattle. If not for Tsuki Kaneko-Hall, throwing pieces about Japanese American history in Seattle, I would have no clue about the discrimination Japanese Americans here in Seattle experienced. Doing research for my case study on Chinatown/International District, I am learning so much more about Chinese American history. We talked about the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in class, but this shit goes so much deeper. Wow, I am so glad that I decided to go outside my comfort zone. Thank you Third Andresen for the suggestion and thank you Marcial Cordova-Sanchez for letting me know about Grandpa and the article he wrote. I am not even halfway through the history of Chinatown. Wow. Seattle, Tacoma, and a few other cities within the region should be ashamed of themselves. Sickening to think about Native Americans, Black people, Chinese, Japanese, FIlipinos, Latinos, all pitted against eachother!! We all were at eachothers necks for jobs that only benefited white people. They got us to point at eachother, and judge eachother while we did and continue to serve them. Seattle was built on a firm foundation of racism. Naming the county after MLK is a joke. Instead of the individual communities having seperate parades and festivals, I suggest that Pista, Bona dori, Umoja Fest, and any ethnic festival that I am missing all take place at the same time. We should have speakers that explain the significance of each communities event. We have to start bringing people together. When I read history, I dont see shit in the way that most do. The oppression Olympics, everyone eager to point out how much oppression they have faced. Rather than all of us despite how much, coming together to celebrate the fact that we are all still here. We all here despite everything that was put in our ways. Teach each other about our experiences. White supremacy was responsible for all of it, white supremacy is responsible for the divide. We perpetuate white supremacy by continuing to think along the lines of race, and by competing with other groups.