Dear Aunty & Uncle: Let’s Talk About Equity

Dear Aunty & Uncle,

Last time, we talked about Solidarity

Now, some of you may be thinking that black people “are doing this to themselves, because look how far we’ve gotten as minorities.”

And it can be so problematic to think of it that way. So today, let’s talk about (1) Being born into oppression vs. Immigrating for better opportunities, (2) the Model Minority Myth, and (3) EQUALITY VS. EQUITY.

Born into Oppression vs. Immigrating to a Country

As we discussed before, in the U.S, Black people are born into Oppression (or come to the U.S. where people who look like them are oppressed). Due to years of systemic racism, they are disadvantaged in their access to resources and opportunities.

On the other hand, many of our ancestors and families Immigrated to the U.S. for better opportunities and resources that they may have not received in their home countries.

You came to the U.S. for a better life. And most of us work hard and struggle to live that good life and to become successful. However, our goals and journeys are not limited by the many factors of systemic racism.

We are not smarter or more driven than Black people, and they are not lazier or less motivated than us. Remember from before: there are systems, policies, and practices in place that come in the way of Black people’s hard work.

Model Minority Myth

As you know, the “model minority myth” categorizes us as the smart, polite, law-abiding and successful immigrants of America.

Along with the MANY problems with this myth within and for our own South Asian communities, this myth is highly problematic for our discussions around BLM as well.

We learned last time how the efforts of Black activists helped create the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965–which allowed for the immigration of more South Asians into America.

What we did not talk about is how there were still quotas (or limits) on how many and which South Asians could enter the U.S. The law made sure that only very skilled or educated South Asians were coming to America at that time.

By the time more South Asians were allowed to come to America, as a group, we were already treated better than Black people had been treated. Because South Asians were more respected, we were also given more opportunities.

Once again, our nation’s previous leaders used their laws and power to their own advantage. They made sure that only the more educated and skilled Asians entered the country, gave them respect and opportunities, and made other people of color believe that all Asians were at the top of the “minority hierarchy” that Americans created.

As years went on, this continued to create a racial divide between us and other people of color (especially black people).

Equality vs. Equity

So you may be thinking, “but that was years ago,” or “since this is America–and we all have (or should have) equal opportunities–that as long as we go to school, work hard and stay committed, there should be no other excuses for people’s negative outcomes in life.”

But that is not the case. In Public Health, we talk about Equality vs. Equity. Take a look at the differences here:

In Public Health and Social Movements, we are aiming for Equity and Justice. Because of the years of systemic racism and oppression that Black communities face, we know that we are all not on the same level playing field.

We already have an advantage and are ahead in the race; and simply giving Black people the same tools as us is not going to do anything.

Instead of equally distributing resources, we need to:

Look at what is causing these inequalities between different groups of people.
Make sure that there is an equitable distribution of resources
Work on changing policies, voting for good leaders, and improving our social practices to fix the entire system that doesn’t give us all equal access to resources and opportunities in the first place.

Thank you again for another great discussion! I hope you’re better able to understand why we need to fight for justice and equity. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about your concerns of how “we are not a part of the problem” and anti-blackness in South Asian culture.💕