Chinatown, New York, NY, USA

Chinatown

Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment

Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
CHINATOWN
Photography by Alicia Mara


Talk about perfect timing. I just got back from my trip to Beijing, China and Hong Kong a few weeks ago. I was really inspired to get more personal with Levitate Style and share more details about myself. I’ve been posting about style and travel, but rarely going deeper on a personal level.

So…Let’s get personal. Let’s get real.

Exactly two weeks ago, Fox News aired a racist segment poking fun at Asians in Chinatown. “Am I supposed to bow to say hello?" “Tell me what’s not made in China?” “Do you know karate?” I finally got to watch the video a few days later. In that span of time, it was really refreshing to see my asian friends share their passionate opinions openly on Facebook and fighting back against this video. And then this happens...a white woman yelled ”Go Back to China!” to NYTimes editor Michael Luo in NYC. #ThisIs2016

As an Asian fashion blogger in the industry, I felt the responsibility to respond and be a voice in this matter. To use my platform, my blog, my influence the best way I know how and to reflect and tell my story. To reflect a positive light on Chinatown. To raise awareness on the type of racism and massively spread stereotypes we still face today. To break away from that and show the world otherwise. Be a voice for the voiceless. Speak up for those who can’t (in this case, the elderly that don’t speak English being interviewed about Trump). It hurts to think that had my immigrant parents been in that video, they would’ve had trouble speaking English and therefore be mocked, harassed, and embarrassed.

I am frustrated.

From a message I heard last week, frustration was explained as the feeling you get when your expectation isn’t met. I am frustrated because I did not expect this. I expect this type of racism to be a thing of the past especially for a global metropolitan city like New York City. This was blatantly racist, offensive, and distasteful. I expect better than this. I’ve traveled the world these past few years and I still believe NYC is the best city in the world. This city is my HOME. So yes…it’s a bit frustrating when this type of racism happens right in my own backyard. Right. At. HOME. I am frustrated because there are times when I feel like I don’t belong. I am frustrated because my people are being treated this way…at home. What I absolutely love about this city besides the obvious glamour and hustle is the diversity. I can easily go from one area to another and I’ll find authentic neighborhoods of different ethnicities. I have the world all cramped into one city. So how is this still a thing?

Let me know your thoughts in the comment!

Stay tuned for more of the Chinatown series! I’ll be sharing about my struggles growing up in NYC as a Chinese immigrant, the media stereotypes of Asians, and more.

Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
Leo Chan, Fashion Blogger in NYC, responds to Fox News Chinatown racist segment
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Thank you for reading!
Leo Chan - Levitate Style

     

Comments

  1. That ain't right. But it's also Fox News, so there you go. I've also lived in NYC my entire life. I'm sad to say I don't know a lot about Chinatown. Excited to learn more!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That ain't right. But it's also Fox News, so there you go. I've also lived in NYC my entire life. I'm sad to say I don't know a lot about Chinatown. Excited to learn more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for using your blog to address this issue. It definitely shouldn't be happening in 2016 but sad to say I'm not surprised. Growing up Asian American we all realize how prevalent racist thinking is even when you live somewhere like the West or East Coasts which are relatively diverse and cosmopolitan.

      Delete
  3. Could you give me a link to that leather jacket? it's very nice:-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like your style. i wanna ask a question. Can you speak chinese (cantonese or mandarin)?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Because your writing is so helpful, I am overjoyed to be able to leave a comment on your site. It assisted me with the ocean of awareness, and as a result, I believe that you will do much better in the years to come. This is such a wonderful website with educational content. Through using this website to take the online scientific teas test, I was able to get a score of 93.2% in scientific. It was a great assistance to me.

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  6. Meeting someone who is so positive and considerate is wonderful. octordle

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's through open conversations and sharing personal narratives that we can hope to bridge gaps and work towards a more inclusive and understanding immaculate grid society. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading more about your experiences and insights.

    ReplyDelete

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