Asian Discrimination

The Declaration of Independence established a firm foundation of the basic rights and principles of our great nation by, stating that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (United States). These ideals laid down by the Founding Fathers have revolutionized governments worldwide, and overtime, have given rights and cultural acceptance to those who were discriminated in the past. For example, Asian Americans have experienced a vast improvement in their rights and freedoms due to the progressively open-minded and morally just American people that recognized the need for equality for all citizens. However, despite the government's attempts to cleanse the country of bigotry, the media continues to use Asian stereotypes and racial slurs as a form of entertainment. The Asian-American community and many other righteous Americans viciously oppose this act of prejudice and wish to bear the heavy burden of eliminating racism in America.

Numerous early Anti-Asian prejudice acts in the United States culminated into the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 (“Ethnic Competition”). The Chinese Exclusion Act counts as the only time in American history a specific ethnic group was forbidden to step foot on US soil (“Ethnic Competition”). The act symbolizes the legacy of racism directed towards the Asian community. Perhaps a more infamous act of anti-Asian bigotry was the unjustified imprisonment of Japanese American citizens during the Second World War due solely to their ethnic ancestry (“Ethnic Competition” Le). Yet, as the Asian American population grew and became increasingly more integrated into American social and political institutions, the bitter history of Asian American discrimination gradually dwindled during the last century. Although Asian Americans are no longer widely condemned and persecuted, media outlets continue to create racial stereotypes categorizing Asians as quiet, weak, and powerless (“Ethnic Competition” ).

In recent years, Youtube has created a floodgate for racial discrimination to quickly surface by allowing racist videos to be repeatedly watched by countless viewers. For instance, the “Amazing Racist” has rapidly become a Youtube sensation for video that discriminates and stereotypes Asian-Americans. In the video, he mocks Asian culture by wearing gaudy Asian clothing and taunts numerous Asians by calling them “chink” or “china man” (Shaffir). Sadly, these offensive racial slurs are becoming commonplace in American culture due to the easy accessibility of an unfiltered internet. In order to provide a cheap laugh, the media has brought back the prejudice of the past in order to create a low standard of entertainment. Even on network television, in Season 4 Episode 1 of Desperate Housewives Susan blurts a prejudice comment stereotyping Asian doctors as having insufficient medical education (“Desperate Housewives”). The remark went on a unnoticeable basis beyond the Asian American Community. Thus, the comment signifies the second nature of such prejudice statements in everyday life. The enormous progress the country gained during the civil rights movements is now being countered by immoral and offensive media sources that refuse to let go of past prejudice.

The majority of American society strives to uphold the ideals founded in the Declaration of Independence. The country has greatly progressed in its attempt to give unalienable rights and equality to the citizens of America. The recent setbacks by the media have given the responsible citizens of America the job of continually pushing for universal equality. The government has passed laws to give minorities their necessary rights. Now the people of America must enforce the new equality standards established by the government by refusing to stereotype ethnic groups and condemning the use of racial slurs. The enforcement must start at the schools where, according to a recent online article, “Stories of Asian youth being bullied and worse are common” as the Asian American Community has “borne the brunt of ethnic tension” (“ Continuing Violence”). To counter the attack, California studies show that “14 percent of Asian youth said they join gangs for protection” (“Continuing Violence”). Gangs only produce violence and crime and the expansion of these organizations should encourage citizens to put a stop to this terrible cycle. Society needs to welcome everyone contentedly and not condone the stereotyping that occurs through the media and at schools across the country. The relative commonplace nature of prejudice comments must be eliminated from society to have complete equality for all.

The Declaration of Independence is the cornerstone for our system of law and government. The unalienable rights undeniably required for all citizens have galvanized America to progress from an aristocratic slave nation to a free republic. This has changed in recent years, where the Asian American community is experiencing an increasing number of violent crimes and discriminatory acts towards their culture. The internet and television media outlets have allowed prior prejudice towards Asian Americans to remain in our society by creating false stereotypes and cruel jokes. The new and old generations must forget past transgressions and strive towards an America that embraces all men and women as equals.