STOP THE
IGNORANCE
Arguably, the worst aspect of our modern era is
the politicization of both a global pandemic and of
hate.
The issues of our health and respect of one another
in society should be a universally shared belief,
regardless of race, creed, color or party affiliation.
We should want to protect each other from a plague;
we should want to stop spreading hate and instead
promote kindness and justice for all.
But that’s not where we are in America in 2021.
We are a society split in two factions: those who respect
each other, and those who only respect themselves.
One side cares to solve two of the biggest
issues of our time; the other side couldn’t care less
about them.
Look at the rash of hate crimes targeting Asian
Americans both in New York and throughout the
country. Slurs that the former president trumpeted
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic last year fueled
an ugly backlash that continues to this day.
Multiple protests denouncing the hate and bigotry
against Asian Americans were hosted around
Queens in the last week, from Jackson Heights, to
Sunnyside, to Flushing.
Flushing Business Improvement District announced
the launch of a new campaign titled “Respect,
Unity, Courage,” which calls on all Americans
to stand in solidarity with the Asian American
community, have the courage to denounce the wave
of anti-Asian violence and show mutual respect.
This campaign is something that should be
pushed beyond the confines of Flushing and into the
rest of Queens.
The “World’s Borough” has been home to far too
many anti-Asian hate crimes this year, including an
incident last week that saw a group of teens attack
a 13-year-old Asian American on a Flushing basketball
court. One of the attackers said, “Stupid f––g
Chinese. Go back to your country,” according to the
authorities.
That incident, like several others that predated
it, is reflective of the kind of ignorance that has permeated
the country during the pandemic.
Enough is enough! We cannot allow this ignorance
to continue. We must rise up and drown it
out.
Speak up, New York! Say no to hate, ignorance
and bloodshed. Say yes to unity, justice, tolerance
and equality.
HOW TO REACH US
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.14 COM | MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2021
THE HATE MUST STOP
There has been such a terrible
rise in hate crimes
against Asians and Asian
Americans in New York
City and around the country,
something I find most appalling.
I have seen these three
words being used in the media:
“Appalled. Furious. Cowardly.”
Well, I agree!
COVID-19, which originated
in China, has caused the death
of more than 536,000 people and
so many people are choosing to
place blame on our city’s Asian
population. This type of thinking
is wrong! Yet that is how
bigotry and prejudice is perpetuated.
As we fight to put a stop to
this hate, we must realize that
talk is cheap and rallies can
only go so far. What we need
to do is educate the public that
hate is wrong and that love is
the answer. We are all brothers
and sisters, and our creator
created us all to love and to respect
one another.
Furthermore, I think that
we all need to get involved in
our community to help one another
when one of our Asians
brothers and sisters are being
abused or hurt. As the old cliche
goes, “When you see something,
say something.” So, let’s
do it!
Remember this, too: Evil
thrives when good people do
nothing.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Bellerose
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EDITORIAL
Multiple protests denouncing the hate and bigotry against Asian Americans were hosted around Queens in the
last week. Photo by Dean Moses
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