Over the past several months, the Bandung and VietLaoKhmer reading groups have been engaged in a study of the anti-colonial movements of Korea and Vietnam while also visiting locations in the East and Southeast Asian communities of Philadelphia. We see our studies and the practice of growing closer to these communities as integral to understanding the impact of war, propaganda, and the refugee crisis on the younger generation of Asian Americans. How did this impact their self-perception and the way they relate to their neighbors in Philadelphia? What do they see as their place in the world and their role in determining its, and their own, future?
We believe Asians in America have an important role to play in contributing to America’s own struggle for democracy, freedom, and peace. However, while the Asian continent is on the cusp of completing its anti-colonial struggles, increasingly Asians in America are being groomed into pawns used by this country’s war agenda and by ruling elites masquerading under “anti-racism.” With Asian countries forging new forms of democracy rooted in their ancient civilizations, Asians in America have a new and urgent opportunity to struggle for people’s democracy and a Revolution of Values in this country.
We see the importance of understanding the concerns of the Asian community, both young and older. We strive to know the day-to-day struggles of the Asian community in order to determine the ideas that have dictated the lives of young Asians today as imposed on generations through anti-communist propaganda. We can then more confidently put forth ideas and ask the important questions that can lead to clarifying the correct path forward and move people to take up revolutionary struggle and become agents of change.
We look to the history and leaders of the anti-colonial movements in Korea and Vietnam, in which ordinary people fought imperialism with immense courage, sacrifice, and determination to save their children and the independence of their countries. We believe these histories are inextricably linked to the Black Freedom Movement in America and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, Paul Robeson, and W.E.B. Du Bois. Standing upon the foundation of these traditions, we believe there is an opportunity to create a space for dialogue between Asians and Afro-Americans so that these communities can explore the principles of unity needed to address an unprecedented crisis of violence, misleadership, and moral values in Philadelphia.
Today’s question is, what will happen to America if Asians, who must be accountable to this country, do not move beyond individualism and ruling elite aspirations? We wish to present to the young generation of Philadelphia the opportunity to inherit the traditions of the Black Freedom Movement and Anti-Colonial struggle for world peace, revolutionary change, and a new city. More than ever, we can inject the spirit of the Anti-Colonial struggle and Black Freedom Struggle into America and complete King’s World House.
We believe Asians in America have an important role to play in contributing to America’s own struggle for democracy, freedom, and peace. However, while the Asian continent is on the cusp of completing its anti-colonial struggles, increasingly Asians in America are being groomed into pawns used by this country’s war agenda and by ruling elites masquerading under “anti-racism.” With Asian countries forging new forms of democracy rooted in their ancient civilizations, Asians in America have a new and urgent opportunity to struggle for people’s democracy and a Revolution of Values in this country.
We see the importance of understanding the concerns of the Asian community, both young and older. We strive to know the day-to-day struggles of the Asian community in order to determine the ideas that have dictated the lives of young Asians today as imposed on generations through anti-communist propaganda. We can then more confidently put forth ideas and ask the important questions that can lead to clarifying the correct path forward and move people to take up revolutionary struggle and become agents of change.
We look to the history and leaders of the anti-colonial movements in Korea and Vietnam, in which ordinary people fought imperialism with immense courage, sacrifice, and determination to save their children and the independence of their countries. We believe these histories are inextricably linked to the Black Freedom Movement in America and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, Paul Robeson, and W.E.B. Du Bois. Standing upon the foundation of these traditions, we believe there is an opportunity to create a space for dialogue between Asians and Afro-Americans so that these communities can explore the principles of unity needed to address an unprecedented crisis of violence, misleadership, and moral values in Philadelphia.
Today’s question is, what will happen to America if Asians, who must be accountable to this country, do not move beyond individualism and ruling elite aspirations? We wish to present to the young generation of Philadelphia the opportunity to inherit the traditions of the Black Freedom Movement and Anti-Colonial struggle for world peace, revolutionary change, and a new city. More than ever, we can inject the spirit of the Anti-Colonial struggle and Black Freedom Struggle into America and complete King’s World House.