Mistreatment of Asians
On May 6, 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act passed. The CEA prohibited all Chinese laborers from entering the country.
Since the 1800s, Asians have been mistreated in many ways, and still, in 2021, the behavior toward Asians has not changed.
Hundreds of Asians throughout the country are getting punched, kicked and beaten to death, left and right. They get mistreated in alleys, walkways, stores and even out in public in front of us. They are being treated like rotten pieces of trash for just being who they are and for how they were born to be in this world.
Whether you want to believe what I’m saying about Asians being mistreated is up to you. However, the fact is that kids as young as 4 or people as old as 70 or 80, both women and men, are getting mistreated every day.
Yet, we are making it seem like it’s normal. We make it seem normal by not confronting people about offensive Asian stereotypes. For example, “Asians eat dogs and cats.”
In 2021, Asian hate crimes are becoming a “trend” on social media! Yet, why now? Well, one reason is that since coronavirus came around, it has been blamed on Asians and has been called the “Chinese virus.”
It might not affect you at all if you’re not an Asian. However, one person in a billion can make a difference. Deep down in your heart, I know you and only you can make that decision to take action. You can start by discussing it with your friends and family.
Help us inform the Board of Education to educate kids at a young age about Asian hate crimes. Next time there is a meeting with the BOE, attend and don’t hesitate to bring it up.
Keilly Catherine Dakamas
Honokaa
Great field trips
I recently took my students to the Lyman Museum’s Mission House and Earth Heritage Gallery on one visit, and the newly renovated Island Heritage Gallery on a second visit.
These were the first field trips of the year and a welcome shift away from distance learning through a computer screen.
The artwork, artifacts, historical photos and interactive exhibits were beautifully displayed (an incredible use of limited space!) and my students were at times so mesmerized that I had to prod them along to keep up with the docent! Midvisit, a grateful student actually thanked me for arranging this engagement.
My initial lesson plan was to have students research different “Agents of Change” and to put together a digital presentation to share with their peers. However, in hindsight, I am certain that what students gained through these visits was not only much more meaningful and impactful, but much of the information would not have likely been accessed through an internet search.
Our docent, Bruce McClure, was incredibly knowledgeable, a talented storyteller and able to share anecdotal information within the context of our hometown. Barbara Moir (museum director) arranged to open the museum early just for us and offered for me to do a free previsit for curriculum planning purposes. The front desk crew and second docent were so friendly and welcoming to all of us.
Every aspect of this visit was a first-class act! Five stars — highly recommend!
Wendy Hamane
Hilo High School teacher