Photo: Notice of community vigil set for Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m. at the high school parking lot.
Several Belmont groups are sponsoring a community vigil to show solidarity to the Asian community in response to the murders of six Asian women in Atlanta and the increase in violent attacks on people of Asian heritage.
The event, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 21 in the Belmont High School parking lot, is organized by the Belmont Chinese American Association, the Pan-Asian Coalition, Belmont Against Racism, Belmont Human Rights Commission and the Belmont Religious Council.
Those attending are being asked to wear a mask and social distance.
Days after the Atlanta killings, the Belmont Human Rights Commission issued a statement condemning the violence directed at the Asian community.
“In light of recent physical assaults on the Asian elderly across the country and the murders of Asian women in the Atlanta area, the Belmont Human Rights Commission (BHRC) denounces these and all forms of domestic terrorism. We want to express support and appreciation of all of our community members of Asian descent. Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic, hate crimes against persons of Asian descent have drastically increased, causing much fear and pain. While there has been media coverage of assaults in New York and California and the killings in Georgia, two assaults have been reported as close to home as Quincy, Massachusetts just last month. BHRC calls for unity in this challenging time. We must not let frustration as a result of the pandemic become anger and hate toward our neighbors.”
“Our nation must work to heal divisions across racial and ethnic lines. We believe that open, honest, and heartfelt communication among all members of our community is the best way to begin this healing.”
“If you are interested in addressing anti-Asian hate, call your legislators and ask what they are doing for the Asian community, support local Asian American-owned small businesses and read more on this issue at stopaapihate.org”
“The Belmont Human Rights Commission is dedicated to fighting discrimination in all forms and to increasing visibility and awareness of issues regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you have experienced discrimination in Belmont, please contact us at belmont.hrc@gmail.com or call 617-993-2795.”
As an Asian American, I appreciate the solidarity shown by the select few in the town of Belmont. I truly hope Belmont will not stand in solidarity at the vigil without also engaging in deep introspection about how discrimination and racism reverberates daily through this town. I was with my child at the last in-person Becca Pizzi’s mile run, waiting at the tables to collect his number and shirt. As we waited to be waved up to the table, we watched three white families come from behind us to be helped before us. After being fed up, I said, “Hello, we’ve been here for 10 minutes and have watched you help three white families before us.” They said, “Oh I’m sorry. We didn’t see you there.” MY POINT EXACTLY. That is exactly the problem, isn’t it? Asians are rendered invisible by white folks all the time here in Belmont.
Most recently, my child and I were headed to Groves Park to get some fresh air. He was on his bike, and when he got to the entrance, he saw that a man was coming towards the entrance from the other side. I was very proud to see my child pull his bike off to the side to wait for this man to exit, but what does the man do as soon as he gets close? He grabs the front of my son’s bike and starts yelling, “Your son f***ing tried to kill me!” and begins to shake my child’s bike and my child who is still on it. It was F*** this and F*** that. It wasn’t until I started to yell back in unaccented, perfect English, threatening to call the police on him that he left, dropping more F bombs on his way. Belmont, vigils are nice, but please do something about the white supremacy that reigns supreme right here in your backyard. Vigils are great, but you have grown white men, cursing and physically threatening 9 year old children at the park.
Thursday 3/26 at 11:46. A fellow Butler parent decided that where I was standing was going to be his parking spot as he was late for pick up. An object was blocking next to the fire hydrant , that object being me so he decided to run it off the street line with his suv. He didn’t stop until I moved to avoid being pinned by his car and another I was standing behind. He sneered victoriously and claimed I was just standing there stupidly. No apology. Swaggered off to stand on my friend’s driveway on sycamore as his 3rd grader was walking out.
I took pictures of his license plate and he started to throw f-bombs at me while his son was watching. I recognized the boy as my kids close friend.
School was alerted and the community cop immediately reached out. Despite school and cop’s urge to apologize apparently he didn’t feel remorse. He only hides out and sends the wife to the pick up where she couldn’t even meet my eyes, normally I would have exchanged greetings and arranged more play dates.
I still wonder what conspired mr H to judge me right then and there I was on the wrong, not him. Even if he was wrong he doesn’t have to say because the silent society will shield him. Only factor was the race and you don’t have to say the word to be a racist – this is ugly face of racism.
* I fixed the typo for clarity
On Thursday 3/26 at 11:47. A Butler fellow parent decided that where I was standing is his parking spot as he was late for pickup. An object was blocking next to the fire hydrant , that object bring me so he decided to run it off the street line with his suv. He didn’t stop until I moved to avoid being pinned by his car. He sneered victoriously and claimed I was just standing there like stupidly. No apology. Swaggered off to my friends driveway as his 3rd grader was coming out.
I took pictures of his license plate and he started to issue f-bombs at me while his son was watching. I recognized the boy as my kids close friend.
School was alerted and the community cop reached out. Apparently he didn’t feel remorse – no apology. He only hides out and sends the wife to the pick up where she couldn’t even meet my eyes, normally I would have exchanged greetings.
I still wonder what conspired to judge right then and there I was on the wrong, not him. Only factor was the race and you don’t have to say the word to be a racist – this is ugly favs of racism.