“No justice! No peace!” We were marching under the chants of our demands. We demanded for justice for Danny Chen, his family and our society. With the help of drums and human microphones, we were telling this world that people of justice are here again to fight this battle of discrimination. On December 15, 2011, we attended the march and vigil for Danny Chen with the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA). This event have greatly impacted us and made us reflect.
There was too much significance about this event. First, it was just sympathy; to give our little support to Danny Chen’s family. At the first moment, our instincts were to ask why there is a tiny family in this world who grieved and parted by other people’s foolish and arrogant behaviors and why those people who were educated with statements that “All men are created equal” still sided with discrimination. When we began the vigil at Columbus Park, we literally began to think about something important that would have an impact on us and our futures. We hoped we would’ve encouraged more students to join or at least to let them realize the kind of society we are still in now and what responsibilities we have here. Before, we believed that as time went by, the cultural differences and prejudices between each race would be eliminated. After this event, we realized we came to the United States, not only with our expectations toward personal wealth but also came with our identities. As Chinese Americans, we are endowed with the responsibilities to protect our rights. It’s possible that we may not be exposed to the dangers of discrimination; but this event alarmed us that we will be the victims of our own selfishness with the degradation of our dignity and pride, if we do not realize the existence of racial discrimination and stand up against it. We can accomplish our life’s values by being part of a world where people devote their efforts to the preservation of justice, especially in our society.
There is so much for us to learn. We were glad that we were there with hope. We know our black friends fought for their freedom for nearly a century. We know our forefathers used a half century to obtain their civil rights. Even America, this country itself, fought a war to gain their independence. We are in a high civilized society with well educated people who have experienced or witnessed discrimination. We believe that people of justice must stand together. It will be a promise to win this battle. Now it’s our responsibility to reach out with our understanding and realization to others who are still not aware of the existence of discrimination and to improve ourselves and to carry our mighty weapons, knowledge and the sense of justice, into the war against discrimination.