G-block – MLK: “Raising Our Voices: South Asian-Americans Address Hate”

This assembly was organized as a shorter version of the Race Reels event that took place in the library after school. A video focusing on hate crimes against South-Asians, specifically prior to the attacks of September 11, was shown. It portrayed not only the hate crimes, but the trials that followed and the enormous support provided by their communities. One particular man was shot and injured so badly that he was paralyzed and will likely never regain movement of any of his limbs. Many of these victims tried to go to the police, yet were never taken seriously and received little justice.
After the video screening, social studies teacher Malcolm Cawthorne led a discussion where students broke down the film and discussed the hate crimes. One idea that came up through the discussion was how most of the film took place before 9/11. Students discussed that although recent terrorist attacks fueled stereotypes about South Asians and Muslims specifically, there were prior prejudices towards these races. The group also discussed what exactly made these acts hate crimes, touching upon the fact that all of these people were grouped into one general stereotype, even though South Asians have many diverse cultures.