Nita Mosby Tyler discusses the importance of being an unlikely ally in the Ted talk “Want a more just world? Be an unlikely ally,”. She insists that it is our job to stand up against injustice even when we don’t feel like injustice is directly aimed at us. She states that when we speak up, we have the power to influence others to do the same.
In the podcast, “In the Air We Breathe,” Professor Banaji discusses her findings regarding implicit bias. Based on the IAT test which she helped to develop, individuals’ scoring on the test reflects the implicit bias of the community. Eric Heman’s research shows that areas that report higher implicit bias also have higher numbers of police shootings of minorities. Areas reporting higher implicit bias however, are reflective of the area as a whole, rather than individual reportings of implicit biases. The two pieces suggest that individuals are not only individuals, but have a mutually impactful relationship with society. Society spurs action or inaction, just as individuals can push communities to act one way or another.
With the BLM movement of 2020, I have heard a lot of discussion within the Asian-American community regarding our place in this fight for justice. Common arguments I have heard against participation of the movement is “this doesn’t involve us” and “how about when we had faced injustice?” These are perhaps ways of deflecting responsibility that reflect the “thumbprint of the culture.” These two pieces reinforced my view on fighting against injustice even if it doesn’t seem directly at us, because injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. For those who argue “where was our justice,” I think it is important to recognize that that should not be an excuse to stand and watch as injustice is being carried out. If society doesn’t stand up as a whole, then there will always be racism and discrimination which we as Asian-Americans, will not be exempt from.
I agree with what you and Tyler said about how it is the individual’s job to stand up against discrimination and injustice, even if it isn’t directed towards you. I found it really interesting how you related the Asian-American community to the BLM movement. It’s great that you feel like you have to fight against injustice no matter who it’s for.
I feel the same way about what you said in terms of the BLM movement and its support or neglect from other communities of color. I think that many groups of POC have different specific issues and injustices that they face and often turn their backs on each other when help is needed. If we don’t come together there will always be these disparities and I hope we will in the future.
As an Asian American, I’ve also noticed indifference and criticism of the movement in my community. Admittedly, my own parents have questioned why someone who is not African American and does not live in an over policed neighborhood would want to join the cause. However, social change can only prevail when the majority of people believe in it.