我所在的小鎮瑞吉塢，在新澤西算是相當好的地區。
所謂的好，一是指學區，鎮高中在新澤西300多所公立高中里，排名大概在20多名；二是指經濟條件，這裡中等家庭收入是16萬美元，遠遠高於新澤西的平均水平；三是指宜居程度，小鎮環境優美，鎮中心集中了一些很有名的餐館和商店，犯罪率也非常低。
贊助商家（廣告位：+1678-685-8086）
集會之後，我們對未來充滿希望
亞裔，在我們這個鎮上，力量是不弱的。根據2010年的人口普查，瑞吉塢有82%的白人和13%的亞裔，其他種族加起來才5%。
根據我的觀察，2010年之後，亞裔人口的增長速度很快，目前應該遠遠超過13%了。
鎮高中每年都有「亞洲節「，Downtown有不少亞洲餐館和商店，鎮上官員也有亞裔面孔。
這樣一個富裕平和的小鎮，亞裔會遇到歧視嗎？
如果我們搞”停止仇恨亞裔”的集會，會有人來參加嗎？
如果有人來參加，會不會只有亞裔人，甚至只有華裔來？
這些疑問，從瑞吉塢華協準備集會的一開始，就環繞在我的腦海里。
一、
當4月10日，我站在集會現場的時候，這些疑問都有了答案。
天公作美，這一天氣溫適宜，風輕雲淡，集會的場地Van Neste Square Memorial Park鮮花盛開。
來參加集會的人真不少，這個小公園幾乎站的滿滿的。
真沒想到有這麼多人會來。
亞裔佔了多數，但是白人和其他族裔的也不少。據我初略的估計，大概亞裔有60%，白人和其他族裔有40%。
所以，我的後兩個疑問已經得到了回答：參加集會的人很多，除了亞裔之後，也有不少其他族裔的人。
「停止對亞裔的仇恨」，不能只是亞裔自己在發聲，還需要所有族裔的人站在一起。我們需要盟友，需要傾聽者、支持者。
在籌備這個集會的過程中，我聽到一些議論，認為我們這個鎮幾乎沒有什麼針對亞裔的歧視行為，人們都非常友好，都能和平相處。集會的目的，主要是發出自己的聲音，展示自己的力量，從廣義上譴責對亞裔的仇恨。
但是，鎮長的講話，給在場所有華裔，潑了一桶冷水。
鎮長Susan說：幾年前瑞吉塢華協第一次組織參加七月四日的國慶遊行時，她被中國媽媽們的表演驚艷了。中國媽媽們的方隊走過主席台時，她拍了很多照片。
第二天，她的辦公室接到一個電話，那個打電話的人對於「中國人」參加國慶遊行非常生氣，要求把「中國人」踢出瑞吉塢今後的國慶遊行行列！
瑞吉塢的七月四日國慶遊行，有100多年的歷史了，是鎮上每年最重要、影響最大的活動，在整個新澤西都很有名。瑞吉塢華協成立後的第一項工作，就是策劃並參加了2016年的國慶遊行。從此之後，連續四年，瑞吉塢華協的花車和媽媽方隊，就成為國慶遊行中最靚麗的一道風景線。
美媽們一路上都會收到接連不斷的喝彩聲，順便收穫粉絲。平時走在鎮里，還有陌生人過來稱讚表演。
誰能想到，竟然有人向鎮長提議把我們踢出國慶遊行？
這件事，就發生在我們這個鎮，這個看上去安詳、包容、友好的小鎮。
如果沒有這個集會，如果Susan鎮長不發言，我們沒有一個人會知道這件事。
有多少歧視，有多少偏見，是發生在我們看不見、聽不到的地方呢？
Susan的話揭開了蓋子。原來寬容、友愛的表象下面，也有我們難以面對的事實——在一些人眼裡，我們不屬於這裡。
二、
這一次集會，請來了不少「重量級」的發言嘉賓。可以說，從Bergen郡，到瑞吉塢鎮，差不多所有的頭頭腦腦都來了，有的還是帶來全套班子出席。
每一個人的講話都非常精彩。
而且幾乎每一個人，都提到了亞裔面臨的歧視和不公。
教育委員會成員Hyunju Kwak是一名韓裔，從小在紐約市長大， 在學校時就受到到歧視，被人喊「滾回你的國家」。 當她在競選教育委員會成員的時候， 被人當面嘲諷姓名，說我們Ridgewood不需要再來一個 Quack (KWAK)。
博根郡專員Ramon Hache，他本身就是來自多米尼加的移民，妻子又是亞裔，所以對種族歧視並不陌生。
他曾是瑞吉塢第一個拉丁裔議員，也是上一屆鎮長。 這次活動，他自始至終積极參与， 從邀請發言人到排定出場順序，一直與華協的幾個組織者聯繫密切，積極出力。
鎮警察局的女警長Jacqueline Luthcke也來了，她對華人非常友好。華協也曾在去年疫情高峰期間，給警察局數次捐贈口罩。這次活動初期，她在組織、規劃、參與人數上都幫華協具體出謀劃策。
Joanne Van San是一位牧師，她說每一個人，都是我們的鄰居，也都是上帝的孩子。她帶領大家向所有種族仇恨的受害者默哀。
「我不是病毒」運動的發起人Mike Keo也來了。他去年發起的這個運動已經推及全國。
一位柬埔寨裔的媽媽Van Imm，提到自己一生受到的歧視。她說：「每一個人都要說出自己的故事，不能保持沉默。」
鎮學區監導Dr. Thomas Gorman，本身是一名社會科學教師，他承諾要從教育入手消除歧視問題。
Jim Tedesco是博根郡的行政長官，他從會場里找了幾個孩子，讓他們一個個讀出手上的標語。他說：「仇恨和歧視，在博根，在美國，都不應該有任何位置！」
每一個人的發言，都很誠懇，很給力。但是，讓我印象最深的，還是幾位華人。
兩位高中生，是所有發言人中最沒有「資歷」的人。但是，送給他們的掌聲和歡呼聲卻最大，最熱烈。
Christina Huang，回憶起自己7歲時坐校車時的經歷，孩子們的鬨笑和嘲諷，對她幼小心靈的影響比我們想像得更深。
我看到現場聽眾有的在擦眼淚。
Anthony Li，專門去亞洲餐館採訪，餐館老闆受到的威脅和謾罵，讓他非常震驚和氣憤。他還批判了學校里對於亞裔這個「模範少數民族」的刻板印象。
三位華協的組織者，英語流利，演講鏗鏘有力，處理突發事件也有理有節。
孫宇是主持人，不但讓整個流程非常順利，還不斷烘托氣氛。他還特意提到警察們為社區所做的一切，讓大家感謝他們的貢獻。
KFC是第一個發言人，有激情有感染力的發言，讓會場的氣氛一下子熱烈起來。他說：「我今天站在這裡，不是僅僅代表華人，也不是僅僅代表亞裔，我是三億在美國這片土地居住的人民中的一員。」
Jianying Ding是最後一個發言人，向其他支持這個集會的組織和機構表示了感謝。這些組織從策劃、宣傳、贊助，都給與華協許多的支持。
她最後說：「讓我們成為改變的開始。這是一場艱難的戰鬥，但是我們團結起來，我們就一定能贏。」
三、
之前在準備集會的時候，志願者們就提到了如何定位這次集會，是搞成訴苦大會？是讓人們義憤填膺？是充滿悲憤？還是歡樂地展示亞裔文化？
不同的定位，效果也會不同。
大家最後並沒有達成一致意見，說實話，因為請了這麼多人來，我們也不太清楚他們會講些什麼，所以，集會到底會搞成什麼樣子，大家心裡也沒底。
而今天的集會之後，我才知道：這就是一次完美的集會。這就是我們想要的效果。
我們發起集會的目的，不是為了分裂，而是為了團結。
如果多年後，我們回憶起曾經參加過的很多次集會的時候，這一次一定不同。
不光是因為集會很有力，很圓滿，還因為集會中出現的一個小插曲。
當Susan鎮長開始講話的時候，突然，從後面上來一個年輕女性，舉著喇叭，開始「演講」。
她一步步走到會場中間，我只聽到她對Susan說：「我是亞裔，我是仇亞行為的受害者。你是白人，你沒有資格來這裡講話……”
她的身邊，還跟著幾個年輕人，包括兩個非裔小夥子。其中一個舉著手機說：「我在網路直播，有8000人在看，你們必須讓她講話。」
現場一片混亂，觀眾們在大喊「go home”。
其實當時大家都有點懵。Susan鎮長的話筒，後來也被搶了去。警長就在那裡，還有幾名警察。但是，如果警察強行介入，恐怕事態就會朝不好的方向發展。
那個女孩得到機會講了一會，據說她渾身一直在顫抖。最後，在大家勸說之下，他們離開了會場。
從他們發給現場的傳單來看，這是一個反對「白人至上」的團體。
所以，他們選擇在Susan鎮長講話的時候進來攪局。
是的，我稱之為」攪局「。要知道，籌備這個集會，是幾十個志願者花了近一個月的時間準備出來的。所有發言人都要一個個聯繫和確認；所有活動流程都要反反覆復打磨；一步步動員，老老少少參與，才終於在4月10日這個時刻，有了集會的機會。
Susan鎮長是自願來支持我們行動的。僅僅因為她是白人，她就不能來參加這次聚會嗎？她就不能支持「停止仇恨亞裔」這個行動嗎？用膚色來決定人的歸屬，這恰恰是一種歧視。
這些人闖入我們的會場，以粗暴的方式來打亂一個和平的集會，他們，其實也是在剝奪我們的權利。
這個集會的插曲，給我們提了醒。面對歧視和不公平，我們要發聲，要抗爭，要做出改變。
但是我們不會偏激，不會暴戾，不會封閉。
我們要做的，是融合，是展示自己的力量。
插曲的出現，並沒有真正影響集會的效果，反而使大家更士氣高昂。
這個社會已經有太多太多的仇恨和裂痕。我們要消除它們，而不是製造它們。
四、
集會之後，我看到了希望。我看到了華裔中有Jianying Ding、孫宇、KFC這樣的能力出眾，英語非常流利，又積极參与社區事務的優秀人才。
我看到了華裔的下一代，也都加入進來了，他們有的走上演講台，有的創作宣傳畫，有的分發傳單、標語，有的做義工。
兩位小畫家 Krystal Jiang （ Rock） 和Tiffany Deng （Girl with tape ）的創作，非常震撼。
我還看到更小的孩子們，他們也許不是太理解什麼是身份認定，不太理解什麼種族歧視。但是，他們知道什麼是對與錯，知道自己有發聲的權利。
在會場的一側，有一個專門的繪畫角。孩子們在志願者的帶領下，用畫筆創造了一幅又一幅圖畫。
我看到會場四處的志願者們。為了這個集會，大家各盡其職，忙了很多天。集會這一天更是早早就來布置會場，結束之後又留下清理場地。
（部分志願者）
我看到了許多許多鄉親們，有些我認識，有些我不認識。他們有的在本鎮已經居住多年，有的是新移民，也有的是從其他鎮專門趕來聲援。
我還看到各種組織、機構和商家的傾力參與和支持。從事先宣傳，大標語牌的製作，到開場小號，一直到結束舞蹈，協助本次活動的各個協會都不遺餘力地提供幫助。
Bergen County Asian American Advisory Committee 所有的主要人員都來到現場支持集會，王朝芳還捐贈了很多標語牌支持本次集會。
教育機構Kids2Kids，為集會提供桌子和椅子。
除了華裔之外，我看到了來自其他亞裔的面孔，他們有印度裔、韓裔、日裔、東南亞裔。
我看到了白人、黑人、拉美裔人。
我看到了年輕人、中年人、老人和孩子。
這些都是希望。
我從來沒有覺得如此自豪過。
我也從來沒有覺得這個鎮如此團結過。
我看到了華人的力量，我更看到了一個團結的，包容的社區的力量。
當幾年前那個人給Susan鎮長打電話，讓她把華人踢出國慶遊行隊伍的時候，鎮長的回答是：「他們不光會是國慶遊行的一部分，他們也是我們生活的一部分。」
來參加集會的每一個人，都接受到了相同的信息：每一個人都不是外來者，都屬於這裡。
瑞吉塢一直是個美麗的小鎮，今後，它會變得更好。因為除了學區之外，除了收入之外，除了美食美景之外，它還有這樣的居民，他們能夠站在彼此身邊，互相支持，共同發展。
不管他們的膚色有多麼不同，不管他們的背景有多大差別。
他們，是一樣的、平等的人。
（文中圖片由劉桑田、羅新、Ann等提供）
鳴謝：
Ridgewood Ambassadors for Global Citizenship
Ridgewood Indian Association,
MLK committee of Ridgewood & Glen Rock
Ridgewood Korean Home School Association
Nagoya Enterprise Corp.
Henry M. Cabri DDS LLC
Goody Star Restaurant INC
Sunny Wok （Boaz 1 LLC）
Mei Hawaii Express Inc
Chong S Chen & Xiu Yi Zhang
附：以下為幾位發言人的文字稿。
1、KFC (Kevin Chen)
It is time to speak up!
Good Afternoon,
Thank you to each and every one of you for being here with us today.
Before coming today, I have been thinking about what message I want to deliver during such an important event. Like many of you, I feel concerned about racism and discrimination to minority groups like us. I absolutely share sorrow and anger when hearing about the outrageous attacks against the most vulnerable in our community, the elderly. I found myself speechless learning that a female friend is carrying pepper spray in her pocket for commuting to NYC.
But these are not the only reasons why I am here today. Apart from fear or anger and remembrance of those lost and lives changed by racism, what I believe we truly need is encouragement, the encouragement to speak up.
We are all quite different on the outside, whether it is skin color, language, culture or family traditions. Whether we were born in America or immigrants, we are not separate from each other. We all share dreams, love and humanity. We want the best for this country, our community, our families, ourselves. Embracing our differences is the foundation of the American dream. The beauty of our country is reflected in our cultures, languages and values working and living side by side in harmony. We have ALL gone a long way to pursue the American dream. Now, it is time to defend the American Dream. Now, it is time to promote the American Dream.
The fact that we are all here is a good sign, this gathering is a signal that sheds light for the AAPI community locally. And it is ok to start from bits and pieces.
We are ALL learning. We are all starting from a difference place. BUT!! We are all here TOGETHER. Our kids should never feel embarrassed for bringing dumplings to school for lunch. Our Asian colleagues could be better supported when taking unfair blames at work. And our brothers or sisters should not be the subject of bigoted jokes, feeling ostracized or otherwise targeted for their races.
I am a member of Ridgewood Chinese American Association, one of the several groups that organized today』s event. But I am not just here to represent my Chinese American community. I am not just here to represent Asian Americans. I am here because I am representing one of the 300 million people in this country. I am here because I want to stand in solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters of color.
Join us in this movement to Speak up and let us all be heard!
2、Jianying Ding
Ridgewood Rally Closing
I am honored to close this rally on behalf a team of volunteers. A shout out to the members of Ridgewood Chinese American Association, Ridgewood Ambassadors for Global Citizenship, Ridgewood Indian Association, MLK committee of RW/GR and Ridgewood Korean Home School Association. Together, we spent countless hours planning this rally, donate time and money to make this à reality. We brought together groups with different ethnic background in and outside of Asian American community. Amongst us there are Asian immigrants, Asian Americans that were born and raised here, and other racial equality groups. Ridgewood, you are the reason we love America!
Sincere thank you to all the speakers and guests here today, the wonderful Ridgewood Village Hall, and generous donors for the much needed solidarity, for your calls for urgent actions against Asian hate and racism. We can』t do this without your support.
Most importantly, I want to say to my Asian brothers and sisters, that this is our watershed moment, this is the time for us to act forcefully and relentlessly. There is a famous quote: there are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. First Asian immigrants came 250 years ago, 250 years later, many of us have succeeded, but we still suffer from racism, aggression, xenophobia, and hate, every single day! Don』t let the pain and suffering of our predecessors and fellow Americans go in vain! There is no more time to wait, not even weeks for us to waste, minding our own business is simply no longer acceptable.
Our beautiful children, make us proud, not by stellar grades, music awards, good paying jobs, instead, by embracing and owning your piece of history in America, by claiming your seat at the table!
Parents, don』t hold them back, encourage them, support them. Demand change, BE the change, show them how it is done!
This will be a long and exhausting fight, but with us United, we will win.
3、Christina Huang
Good Morning, I want to thank everyone for coming out today. My name is Christina Huang and I would like to share my experiences of racism as a first generation Chinese American.
Two years before I moved to Ridgewood I grew up in a small town where my family and distant relatives made up most of the Asian population. One time on a bus ride home, I remember I had my face pressed hard against the
school bus searching for my grandmother. As we got closer to my bus stop I saw her practicing zaocao -morning exercise routine- to keep warm in the chilly winter temperatures while she waited forme. I was so excited to greet her and return home to a warm meal. However, the joy was stomped out of me as the entire bus detonated into laughter and everyone pointed at my grandmother dancing. And I will never forget having to walk off the bus past my classmates as they stretched their eyes at me and mocked my grandmother』s movements.
school bus searching for my grandmother. As we got closer to my bus stop I saw her practicing zaocao -morning exercise routine- to keep warm in the chilly winter temperatures while she waited forme. I was so excited to greet her and return home to a warm meal. However, the joy was stomped out of me as the entire bus detonated into laughter and everyone pointed at my grandmother dancing. And I will never forget having to walk off the bus past my classmates as they stretched their eyes at me and mocked my grandmother』s movements.
I felt so alone and humiliated. It felt like there was something wrong with me and I didn』t know what it
was but I desperately wanted to amputate it off my body and have nothing to do with it.
was but I desperately wanted to amputate it off my body and have nothing to do with it.
I was only seven years old.
I am now seventeen ,and I am privileged to have moved to a more diverse and accepting district. However, racism is not completely absent here. Many Ridgewood Amplify, an instagram account, exposes the blatant racism and the microaggressions at the high school. Recently, my mother while walking our dog, Lilo was verbally harassed by a man who called her a chink.. These comments or jokes
are seeds of hate that breeds bias attitudes and cultivates an environment that allows hate crimes to happen. We should not have to prove that we belong here. It is our human and constitutional rights to live free from discrimination and with 「equal protection under the law」.
are seeds of hate that breeds bias attitudes and cultivates an environment that allows hate crimes to happen. We should not have to prove that we belong here. It is our human and constitutional rights to live free from discrimination and with 「equal protection under the law」.
From Asian WW2 vets who fought under the 42nd regiment to Olympians like Chloe Kim it is without a
doubt that Asians play a major role in America’s success. We have contributed greatly in culture, prosperity, and innovations. So why are we still treated like an invasive parasitic species coming tospread disease and steal resources?
doubt that Asians play a major role in America’s success. We have contributed greatly in culture, prosperity, and innovations. So why are we still treated like an invasive parasitic species coming tospread disease and steal resources?
We should also not feel like we have to abandon our culture to fit into American society. In fact, by keeping our culture and traditions alive we are showing resistance and resilience. I am proud to say that every year RHS students, Mrs Kirtane and many Ridgewood parents do this as they put together a performance that celebrates Asian cultures. As students and as a community because of our cultural differences we have grouped ourselves based on our ethnicity. However, during Asian Festival my
classmates break these barriers to create something greater than themselves and every year I am blown away by the product of their hard work and teamwork.
classmates break these barriers to create something greater than themselves and every year I am blown away by the product of their hard work and teamwork.
The takeaways from our students in Asian Festival can be applied on a larger scale. Regardless of what part of Asia you are from: Japan, Korea, China, Pakistan, Cambodia, Philippine, Vietnam or India. We all share the same immigrant story just with different places and names. We have been alienated and targeted based on our background, so we should unify against injustices. I challenge everyone to take steps outside their boundaries to engage with other cultures, challenge stereotypes and tear down the divisions that separate us. Like a large family, we should recognize and celebrate differences among our members while also bonding over our commonalities because only then can we harmonious future where our children are not treated like a plague to society and our elders do not have to live in fear of being attacked.
Thank you.
4、Anthony Li
Lately, there have been many instances of hate and discrimination against Asian Americans all over the news. Just looking at the news, or on the TV, or on Twitter, we』re reminded of how much anti-Asian American hate is still a part of society today. And though we』ve come a long way from the days of Chinese exclusion and Japanese internment camps, Asians still face hatred and discrimination in many aspects of society.
We』ve seen an increase in both verbal and physical attacks on Asian people, especially during this pandemic. I was talking to an Asian restaurant owner the other day. Back in February, even before the pandemic hit the United States, she had a frequent customer talk to her about this 「Chinese virus.」 I』m sure many of you share this experience, of being called out for a 「Chinese virus,」 as if we are somehow responsible for it. As lockdowns continued, and as businesses shut down, the hatred only grew. This restaurant owner once had a customer say to her 「I’m losing my f-ing mind,」 just for telling them that it would take 45 minutes to prepare a dish. People have said to her, 「Go the f back to your
country,」 even though she was as American as any of us. Many other restaurants have received similar treatment as well; a restaurant in Wyckoff was once spray painted with the words 「Go back to your country.」
country,」 even though she was as American as any of us. Many other restaurants have received similar treatment as well; a restaurant in Wyckoff was once spray painted with the words 「Go back to your country.」
These words have power, and these words have effects. Restaurant owners, desperate on takeout for their lifelines, now fear picking up the phone, for fear
that they will receive hate which they can do nothing about. Many Asians in the community now fear for their safety as they walk down the streets of New York.
that they will receive hate which they can do nothing about. Many Asians in the community now fear for their safety as they walk down the streets of New York.
And these words have, far too often, boiled over into violence. The Atlanta shootings, the violent assaults in New York – in New York this year alone, there have been 33 cases of anti-Asian hate, and that』s only counting what』s been reported.
But discrimination is often invisible as well, and as the Asian American community, we see many examples of this in our lives. In schools, Asians are whitewashed as the 「smart」 kids, the ones who care about math and nothing else. I speak personally when I say this has often affected me, this artificial standard constraining my identity. This myth of Asians as a 「model minority」
creates pressure for Asians to conform to these expectations, even though at the upper levels of society, we still face a 「glass ceiling.」 We still face discrimination, even in places where it doesn』t seem like it. This discrimination, whether visible or invisible, violent or verbal, has to stop.
creates pressure for Asians to conform to these expectations, even though at the upper levels of society, we still face a 「glass ceiling.」 We still face discrimination, even in places where it doesn』t seem like it. This discrimination, whether visible or invisible, violent or verbal, has to stop.
And we must band together as a community, because only then can we find our strength. For far too long we have remained silent when we are spit on, harassed, or mistreated because of our race. We must raise our voices and speak out, because we are one Asian community, and because we are as American as anyone else.
In our community we find hope. Our ancestors helped build up this country centuries ago. And though they faced tough challenges, their efforts have not gone unnoticed. And this community still persists today, even now during the pandemic. We help each other out, whether it』s through providing each other with things like hand sanitizer and masks, or for being there when we witness instances of discrimination.
As the young generation, we are an important aspect of this fight. We represent the future, and we must do what we can to support our parents and grandparents, while paving the way for future Asian generations. We must get
involved.
We are one Asian community, and though the fight against discrimination is far from over, we must band together, young or old, as Asians, as Americans. Now is
not the time to let differences in race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity divide us. Now is the time to celebrate our differences, and united, as Americans.
