As a Black woman, I can't help but wonder that if you weren't being attacked because of Trump and his poisonous rhetoric about the coronavirus, would you even try to discuss solidarity with Black people? Or even express empathy toward our plight? You have benefitted for decades off the so-called "model minority myth" and didn't give Black people and our struggles a second thought. Why...because you were White adjacent enough to coast by. Now that White people have reminded you, just like they do to every minority in this country, that you may be light in complexion, well-educated, successful entrepreneurs and successful in other areas of society, but you are STILL not their type of White. I hate that you are under siege, I don't want to see anyone beaten and murdered.
But Black people have been under attack in this country for centuries, and you never tried to help us. A 15-year-old African-American girl by the name of Natasha Harlins, was fatally shot by Soon Ja Du a 51-year-old Korean American convenience store-owner. Du accused Harlins of stealing orange juice. After speaking with the two eyewitnesses present and viewing the videotape of the incident, recorded by a store security camera, the police concluded that Harlins intended to pay for the beverage with money in hand. Du grabbed Harlins by her sweater and snatched her backpack. Harlins then struck Du with her fist twice, knocking Du to the ground. After Harlins backed away, Du angrily threw a stool at her. Harlins then picked up the orange juice bottle that dropped during the scuffle, Du snatched the bottle from her, and Harlins turned to leave. Du reached under the counter, retrieved a revolver, and fired at Harlins from behind at a distance of about three feet (one meter).
The gunshot struck Harlins in the back of the head, killing her instantly. Du testified on her own behalf, claiming that the shooting was in self-defense and that she believed her life was in danger. But her testimony was contradicted by the statements of the two witnesses present at the time, as well as the store's security camera video, which showed Du shooting Harlins in the back of the head as the teenager turned away from Du and attempted to leave the store. Ultimately Du got off with what was literally a slap on the wrist for killing a young girl because of her stereotyping, a racist White judge, and that was a catalyst to the LA Riots. I'm an educated, successful Black woman, and I can walk into a store owned by Asians in a business suit, and immediately I'm followed like a criminal, therefore, I don't frequent them. So trying to NOW, bring Blacks and Asians together in unity because you are under attack, will not be easy and many Black people are not feeling any of it. You guys need to clear out your biases first before you look in our direction for unity.
