The begging of March was easy going, with the same schedule. All of a sudden, a global pandemic happened, COVID19, otherwise known as corona virus. It had impacted the lives of many, including myself. My college was one of the last colleges in Minnesota that I know of that made the later decision in going online with schooling. We were all told not to return from break, while many of our essentials remained at campus. I was granted permission to stay on campus, with limited access to the buildings, only having access to my dorm, and necessary places, like the cafeteria. I was only granted permission because I was working in Mankato, which is about 15 minutes away from Gustavus. The college eventually came to a consensus that the students on campus had to leave by the last Sunday of March. I grabbed all of my belongings and left home, but little did I know that I forgot a small amount of belongings. I had forgot to double check every drawer, which was a mistake. I will plan to go back to campus as soon as they will allow students to return. They have given out emails about scheduling times that students can return to campus and obtain their belongings in acts to reduce the amount of people on campus.
Moving to online classes has its pros and cons. I dislike the decision of doing online classes. I am not able to meet my professors, especially the ones that require meetings, like my condition and golf class. I do not have any golf clubs, so I have to compromise with a stick to try and practice for our lessons. As of conditioning, most of it can be done at home. There is at least one time in the week we are required to do a run and jog exercise which makes it challenging. In all honesty, with what has been going on in the United States, especially discrimination against Asian people, it makes me feel unsafe to run and jog in my neighborhood. I already did not feel safe running and jogging around my neighborhood before the pandemic. I have seen many people become victims of discrimination and hate crimes which makes me furious.
Not to talk politics, but another point which made me feel like the Asian community was belittled was from what Andrew Yang, former presidential candidate said. He explained that we as Asians should act more “American”. We should neglect our Asianness and focus on Americanness. That triggered me, because we are all Americans. What is he trying to say when we should express more Americanness? He explained that we should wear more red, white, and blue. I do not think that solves the problem of discrimination and hate crimes. I feel like he is trying to tell us to step down and neglect our true identity. The real question is, what does it mean to be American? Andrew Yang is trying to help solve the problem, but I do not think he is taking the right approach. For a long time, Asians traditionally have been conservative, trying to maintain peace without conflict, which is why I understand where Andrew Yang is coming from, and that also shows his Asianness. I am not sure if he is aware of it, but no matter how far you run from your roots, it will follow you some how. Besides Andrew Yang, I think the Asian community should fight back. It is really getting out of control, and many places in which are diverse with Asian people are getting targeted. Bowing down and letting people who discriminate will just enhance their thoughts that they have even more power than we do. Being a minority is hard when your community is being attacked by many people and fighting back in my opinion would make it look like we have as much power as they do, which we do, since its supposed to be America right?
This was a little different from a normal blog you all are used to reading, but I honestly think this is an important issue that I needed to address, as it affects how I live my life and how others live their lives, not just Asians. Issues like these happens to groups of people all over the country, and still, nothing changes. From the begging of minorities in the United States, there has been discrimination, and even now, history repeats itself. I only have one big question for you all, what do yo think it means to be American?Â
Best wishes to you all and stay healthy,
Alex
