In My Own Words: Growing up in Maine as an Asian American
by Zabrina Richards
Will I be next?
It’s 2020, and I’m scared. I see people that look like me getting targeted because others think we are carriers of a global pandemic. I see the increase of hate crimes, the stories of other Asian Americans being beaten, spit at, burned, maced, and threatened. Will this happen to me? I’m scared when I see Trump signs; signs which support white supremacy, encourage the use of “China virus/plague”, and promote violence towards Asian Americans.
“It’s you people who brought the disease,”
“Run them over.”
“Death to dog eaters”
“Leave and die”
I’m scared I’ll wake up to burns and bruises along my body, that I’ll have to stumble out of my bed and move slowly because my ethnicity is being scapegoated. Blue, yellow, and purple scattered along my face, arms, and legs. What will I see when I look into my mirror? A black eye? A busted lip?
I am putting up walls. I have to so I can protect myself against emotional abuse, physical violence, and white supremacy. I’m doing it alone because I don’t know how to tell people that will never understand it. I see the death threats towards Asian Americans, and I’m scared for them and myself. Who will help us?
I see the increase of hate crimes worldwide, the stories of other Asians being beaten, spit at, burned, maced, and threatened. Will this happen to me? Will white people just watch and not do anything? Will I be alone if it happens? Will I freeze? Scream? Fight back? Who will I call? The people that are targeting Asian Americans don’t see people like me as people. They see us like a virus, a disease, something that could kill them. Will I be next?
Zabrina Richards identifies as a Chinese American adoptee. She identifies with she/her pronouns. Currently Zabrina is a senior and is interested in politics, writing, poetry, and making the world a better place for people of all backgrounds. Zabrina hopes by sharing her writings and poetry that she will be able to give a young Chinese American perspective of what it’s like to grow up in the United States.
Crafts
- Lucky Bamboo Book of Crafts by Jennifer DeCristoforo
Art Exhibits
Ongoing Collections: Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibit at Bates College Museum of Art; Asian Art at Portland Museum of Art
