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ACPC Community Building Campaign through Cultural Literacy
Most of us are well-aware of the issues of racism, xenophobia, prejudice, and bias that lives within and challenges our communities. What we know less about is how to develop the understanding, communication, healing, and evolution which will give all of us equality and mutual respect in life which is everyone’s right.

The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission (ACPC) has launched a Community Building Campaign through Cultural Literacy with the following Ashland Tidings article by Irene Kai, Co-Founder of ACPC. This first in a series of articles serves as an introduction to the campaign and as an invitation to other people in the Southern Oregon Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities to share their lived experiences. This will assist in learning from each other as we are invited to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes for understanding. Relationship building is the foundation of an inclusive and resilient community.

Irene’s article was published in the Ashland Tidings on February 22, 2021, which marks the 5th anniversary of the bi-monthly Ashland Culture of Peace Commission column. We are grateful to have this free flow of information and knowledge which is vital for the Culture of Peace.

 
When you see us out and about, say hello, and we will smile.

Say hello and I will smile

by Irene Kai, Monday, February 22nd 2021, Ashland Tidings

“Despite all the challenges, I remain hopeful as I think about rebuilding an even
stronger, more inclusive, more resilient Oregon.”

                                                                       — Oregon Governor Kate Brown

I immigrated to this country from Hong Kong when I was 15, living in New York
Chinatown. I lived in London while pursuing my MFA degree and traveled to many
countries for business around the world. Wherever I went, I was identified as an
American. I spoke English with an American accent. I dressed like one and had a
very open attitude. Even when I went back to China and spoke fluent Chinese, they
still asked if I am visiting from America.

In the U.S., I was told on countless occasions to go back to where I came from.
There was an ease living in big cities. The exposure to many different cultures
through schools, work and food made everyone appreciate the complexity of being
different. When I first encounter new acquaintances, my attitude is curiosity that
promotes self-awareness to appreciate my own uniqueness. We are all in the same
boat.

I came to Ashland 24 years ago. First, I noticed the “look” when I walked down the
street with my Eurasian children. For the first time since I immigrated to this
country, I was very self-conscious of not being white.

I currently teach at Rogue Community College. I have encountered older white male
students who were outright hostile and refused to take instruction from a nonwhite
woman. There are laws to protect us from discrimination, but it is difficult to
articulate microaggressions.

I was invited to a gala event outside of my usual circle. I sat at a table with other
guests. An older lady who sat next to me gave me that “look” and asked why I was
sitting at the table and if I worked there. This is not an uncommon occurrence. I had
work staff ask me if I worked at a facility when I was touring with the owner.

Rebuilding our community takes all of us, especially given the history of Oregon.
Our state was America’s first and only state to begin as “whites-only.” The original
constitution banned Black people from the state, and the law stayed in the
constitution for well over 100 years.

Cultural literacy is not a concept but a practice. Having a Black Lives Matter sign on
your lawn is nice but it doesn’t explicitly exempt you from being a racist. It is your
daily action that shows your intent. People are affected by your actions. Each one of
us carries memories of our family that go back hundreds of years whether we are
conscious of it or not. The memories dictate our attitude and world views.

As recently as 2019, when I organized the Ashland Global Peace Conference, a small group of Ashland community members opposed one of the guest speakers at our conference. I was viciously attacked by this group on social media, and they
threatened to crash the conference.

Ashland is a small town; the toxicity of dominance and power grabs adds to the
stress of our struggles from the economic instability caused by the pandemic and
wildfires. The history of — and still ongoing — racial injustice put so much added
stress on the Black, Indigenous and people of color in our community. As a woman
of color inspired by Gov. Brown, I want to do my share to rebuild a more inclusive
and resilient community.

This article marks the fifth anniversary of the Culture of Peace column in the
Ashland Tidings. We are more isolated now than ever with the pandemic, and it is
time for us to get to know each other more. I take this auspicious opportunity to
invite you to know our community better by introducing different Black, Indigenous
and people of color in our community in upcoming columns.

When I traveled, whether in Africa, Europe or Asia, I didn’t speak the local language,
but the first thing I encountered was a smile. It is the universal language for “I am
happy to see you.”

When you see me out and about, say hello and I will smile. I am happy to see you. I
mean it! Let’s get to know each other.

Irene Kai is co-founder of the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission, Flame Keeper
of the World Peace Flame in Ashland.

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ashlandcpc.org






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