Multiple Truths
(@kaliandkalki, 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrhWTuMG5G/)
By Dr. DeLa Dos
흑인의 생명은 소중하다
People often don’t make space for the existence of others’ experiences due to a real fear of a false assumption: that doing so will erase the existence of their own experiences.
This piece does not recount a historical timeline of concepts and events related to APIDA & Black community relationships (read Lang, 2020; Raju, 2021; & Weik, 2020). Furthermore, this piece does not summarize APIDA history or current events (watch: PBS, 2018; The Try Guys, 2021; & repost from @realdlhughley). Finally, this piece is not an investigation of how the APIDA community is used as a racial wedge (read AAAJ-LA, n.d., Chow, 2017, Nakagawa, 2012; Pan, 2020). All of these were initial ideas when mapping the blog series; and while there is value in adding, building, and sharing additional perspectives, there was an opportunity to take a different approach to this post. As such, this piece offers a framework for conversing about interpersonal and societal connections between APIDA and Black communities.
Framing
Unhelpful and inappropriate comparisons are rampant in today’s societies, including the United States. While the information age has increased access to various facts and created more efficient communication, the veracity (or lack thereof) of the details can hinder the opportunity and ability to have effective, thoughtful communication. This is exacerbated by two considerations: first, our brains naturally filter, categorize, and compare information, and, second, that, although we may convince ourselves otherwise, we are never neutral in situations. Therefore, where lived experiences are at the center of conversations, interpersonal exchanges across, between, and about differences can be opportunities for communities to build connections; however, when poisoned with misinformation or misguided hate such exchanges can create tension and cause harm.
For example, if upon returning from a trip to Italy (oo, traveling), one were to be asked about their experience, one might respond with a number of things They could recount details related to an event that deeply resonated with them. They could lament about a series of challenges they encountered. They could excitedly summarize a memory filled with joy. They could describe a scene in the most poetic words they possess and still not do the lived experience justice. They could share any number of other things in their response.
Now let’s apply this same lens to exchanges about race. If, for example, upon reflecting on how race is rising in the popular consciousness of the United States, one were to be asked about their experience, one might respond with a number of things. They could recount details related to an event that deeply resonated with them. They could lament about a series of challenges they encountered. They could excitedly summarize a memory filled with joy. They could describe a scene in the most poetic words they possess and still not do the lived experience justice. They could share any number of other things in their response.
Common responses that typically follow someone’s travel narrative might be centered on expressions of jealousy, tips for future travelers, or occasionally, counterpoints and sometimes disagreements from fellow travelers who have their own experiences navigating the same countries. These reactions and interactions are relatively harmless. The topic of conversation is light, and although one misguided traveler may think pizza in Rome is better than Napoli, invalidating that experience is innocuous. Conversely, common responses to someone recounting their experience(s) with racism in the United States are typically more pejorative and may be centered on gaslighting language, opinions beginning like “to play devil’s advocate”, or on a lesson about the reverse racism they’ve experienced. These reactions and interactions are extremely harmful as they invalidate someone’s humanity, something they can’t detach from.
While the list of responses provided are the same for both hypothetical situations, the common reactions for each do not follow the same pattern. Occasionally, comments about my travels might be met with a counterpoint or disagreement, especially when the conversation partner has their own experience with the location; however, sharing stories of travelling are less likely to elicit active questioning and resistance compared to sharing stories of race, particularly when they do not neatly align with another’s perspectives or experiences. Additionally, reflections on travel have a different impact on their behaviors and experiences when compared to reflections on race, which are regularly shown to be a matter of life and death.People should be mindful of the allure of creating misguided comparisons (as mentioned above) as well as the implications of doing so (as explored below).
The summary is a swirl of independent statements that exist in tension with each other, which includes—but is not limited to:
comparisons are natural
comparisons can create opportunities for increased access and understanding
comparisons can strengthen relationships
comparisons can create barriers to inclusion
comparisons can divide communities
Application
With the frame set above, let’s zoom in to explore some of the nuance involved in these considerations. The presence of similarities between two things does not guarantee that those two things are the same; conversely, just because two things are not the same doesn’t mean that there aren’t similarities. Also, we have to recognize that multiple realities can live simultaneously despite whatever inaccuracies in details may exist. Clarity in communication, accountability in messaging, and space to understand and learn can all contribute to healthier, more meaningful individual and community relationships.
So what might this mean? With a both/and lens that pairs grace and accountability, the charge includes making space for the lives and experiences of others while being accountable for saying what we mean (and meaning what we say). This will include patience and iteration with humility and risk. It is not something that can work in every instance and every context. Still, there is utility and value in how this can be implemented. Below are some examples of when the considerations presented are not implemented and when they are, as well as, some actions for consideration in various spaces.
Examples
When Considerations are not Implemented
holding a belief that hate against APIDA communities is the same as hate against Black communities
expecting/demanding that response to hate against APIDA communities be the same as hate against Black communities
not making space for Black lives and anti-Blackness to be centered in efforts to combat racism
denying or disregarding racism towards APIDA communities
using reductive or overly-simplistic language (e.g.,“more” or “less”) in problematic manners when comparing levels or experiences of racism (e.g., Oppression Olympics)
When Considerations are Implemented
recognizing that hate against APIDA communities and Black communities are both manifestations of racism and white supremacy culture
acknowledging the specific ways that that racism impacts APIDA and Black communities respectively, including similarities and differences
challenging monolithic perceptions and groups
leaning into the benefits and opportunities of “umbrella language” (e.g., APIDA, BIPOC, POC) while honoring the limitations of their usage
Actions
Use intentional language
When you mean Black, say Black instead of multicultural, diverse, underrepresented, POC, or BIPOC (these options can be used when you mean to say what the words mean
If you are not considering—centering even—Southeast Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islanders, don’t use APIDA
Clarify the intentional language
There are multiple understandings about the meanings of words and labels; take care to ensure your audiences understand what you mean when you use certain words
People readily debate whether POC includes APIDA folx (Bhangal & Poon, 2020)
People readily debate whether “Black & Brown” includes APIDA folx (Chow, 2017)
Name the spaces and intentions with authenticity
A space that is for BIPOC folx should have space for the experiences and needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Such spaces can be dynamic and shift in response to these experiences and needs; name it and continue
Honor when spaces that center marginalized groups are named
Create opportunities for APIDA & Black communities to heal and grow
APIDA folx must internally name, combat, and eliminate antiBlackness within and beyond their communities
Black folx must internally name, combat, and eliminate antiAPIDA sentiment within their communities
Create opportunities for APIDA & Black communities to connect and conspire
Normalize changing your mind when presented with new information