Thoughts from a “Model Minority”

Over the past 12 weeks, I’ve gained a bit of an audience as I have attempted to bring smiles to people’s faces by sharing my work from home experience with my son. Unsurprisingly, he has stolen the show. During this time, I’ve had many people reaching out about how these posts have brightened their days, weeks, months. My goal when starting my weekly posts were simply to be a light for people during this time. At this point, my posts have become expected. However, over the last few weeks my heart has been heavy as the events that have transpired brings up many things. But this isn’t about me. I am writing this from the perspective of a “model minority”. For so long, I perpetuated this stereotype by keeping my head down and minding my own business. But I can no longer sit idly on the sideline and watch these things happen. The privilege that I have as a “model minority” is being able to educate myself as opposed to experiencing it.

What is privilege? To me, it means thinking you have the right to tell someone else how they feel. It means, being able to talk about it without haven’t ever experiencing it. It means being able to simply go about your day as if it were any other day. It means, seeing these protests as an inconvenience to YOU.

It’s taken me a week to be able to sit down and sift through my thoughts while keeping my emotions out. But even as I write this, my emotions are coming back and I am mad. I’m mad at myself for sitting by on the sidelines for so long. I’m mad for being the “model minority” that I was raised to be. Not bringing attention to myself is a good thing because it didn’t bring around any trouble. And I struggle with this because of the career I’ve chosen. A career that perpetuates my need to please others. My need to ensure I am going along with the status quo. And as I write this, I know that there are going to be those I upset. I know that there are going to be some out there that will no longer want to associate with me. And that’s okay. But when you are ready, I am here for you. I can’t get mad at ignorance. I won’t waste time on those unwilling to listen. For me, Black Lives Matter is about being a light for those that need it now: the Black community. Of course, All Lives Matter. That was not and IS NOT the argument. The argument is that their lives MATTER. Let’s start there. Acknowledging that their lives actually matter.

To the Black Community, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for sitting idly by. I’m sorry for allowing you to have to live through these experiences while I use my privilege as the “model minority” and not speak up. I will never fully understand what you go through. But I hear you. I love you. You’ve paved the way for what human rights are up to this point. And it’s up to us to help get it to where it needs to be. For those that know me, you know that I tend to use humor to connect. And writing this, a part of me thought about bringing humor in to lighten the severity of this. But personally, I feel that we’re past making light of equality for all. My hope is not to change anyone’s perspective but to bring people to the table with an open heart and open mind. To bring together those that are willing to listen to understand as opposed to listening to reply. And in doing so, I hope that those willing to be open, do their part in moving the needle for themselves.

Now, I will use my own privilege to educate myself. I have gotten my own copy of White Fragility written by Robin DiAngelo as a starting point. And for those that are curious and want to join me, here is where I am starting: https://www.eddiemoorejr.com/21daychallenge.

I welcome dialogue and thoughts in the comments for actions others are taking to help continue the conversation in order to make waves for change.

Love you all, Paul