No Longer Asking For Permission
Written by Roel Concepcion
I am a Filipino-American who has a Filipino-American partner and three Filipino-American children. To say that AAPI Heritage Month is important to me and everyone in this household would be an understatement, but what was once a celebration of our culture and all the other cultures that fall under the AAPI umbrella, has now turned into a plea to not hurt us anymore.
And that saddens me to the core that AAPI Heritage month has devolved into this groundswell of continued validation, as if all AAPI must ask for permission to stay when we’ve been here from the very beginning. One of my favorite historical facts that I once tried to convey any time I had an opportunity to was the fact that Filipinos landed in Louisiana as early as 1763 and stayed there until today, leaving behind a legacy of great food and lasting culture. Journalist and activist Lisa Ling produced an entire episode about it in her show “Take Out with Lisa Ling,” which can be found on HBO Max.
Not Going Anywhere
My motivation in spreading that historical fact was once a point in pride that Hey, we were here way before the Declaration of Independence, but now it seems to be just another plea for permission that Hey, we were here, we’ve alway been here, so c’mon, please stop with the hate.
So as I write this, I want to take a stand in making sure that I stop asking for permission and instead turn to you to demand change. I’m tired of showing you how far we’ve come; the many countless things we’ve contributed to this country; and the many AAPI inventors, industry leaders, artists, writers, poets, and entertainers that have contributed to zeitgeist of American culture.
Instead I want to let you know that we are not going anywhere, because frankly we can’t, and that we’re not going to stop, despite the violence and hate, and that we appreciate your recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, but you must do more for me, my partner, my children, and my brothers and sisters in the AAPI community.
And what to do is up to you. How much of an ally do you really want to be? How much self awareness do you have to go through to recognize our place in this country? How much are you willing to work to work on your biases? How much are you willing to really help Teaching Lab, in particular, to expand our work in culturally responsive and sustaining education?
I feel the AAPI community has done their part to help you see, learn, and understand. We’ve become your model minority, we’ve asked for your permission, we’ve fought your wars, and taken all of your punches. But we are done. Now we look to you; now it’s your turn.
More Resources
Check out this article to see why AAPI heritage month happens in May
See Facing History’s 11 Resources for Teaching about AAPI Experiences
See numerous resources for teachers of all grade levels on the on the Asian Pacific American Heritage website
Teaching Lab resource on how to embed a focus on culturally-responsive sustaining education into curriculum based professional learning.
TIME One year After Atlanta Shootings, Why We’re Still Struggling With Anti-AAPI Hate
Asian Pacific American Advocates Project Resources to help you identify and report hate incidents
AAPI Equity Alliance Stop AAPI hate
How To Be An Ally:
Make your voice heard by sharing AAPI stories and resources.
Check in on AAPI family, friends, and colleagues to make sure they feel safe and supported.
Support Asian-owned small businesses
Volunteer your time or donate to organizations aiming to end all forms of structural racism
If you see or encounter any acts of racial discrimination, report them. Give support, and attention to the target.
Roel Concepcion is a Manila born, L.A. raised marketing professional. At Teaching Lab, he develops and manages the organization’s website and social media channels with the ultimate goal of spreading its mission to achieve educational equity. Roel attended Long Beach City College before transferring to the University of California, Riverside where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
