Celebrating Lunar New Year in a time of grief
Celebrating Lunar New Year in a time of grief
This month we re-visited a great series called Code Switch that we have listened to in the past. If you haven’t yet discovered it, we highly recommend you check it out and subscribe.
We’re also revisiting this as a topic that we touched upon over a year ago related to anti-Asian hate and violence in general. The episode starts with a brief related aside about the recent death of Tyre Nichols who died after being brutally beaten by police as part of a routine traffic stop. The episode then goes into the recent incident in Monterey Park, California where an Asian gunman opened fire on people in a dance studio during Lunar New Year.
At the heart of the episode and the ensuing discussion this month was really helping us understand a bit more about the deep history of Lunar New Year, why violence around this holiday is particularly unsettling for those of Asian heritage, and how we might better support those impacted, those around us, and a bit of discussion about how we might try to help even in some small way prevent more of this kind of violence in the future. Honestly, it’s a very tough topic that feels helpless at times, but it is our hope that discussing it at least is one small act that can start to help.
Suggested discussion questions (if you need something to start the conversation):
These incidents of violence may be in other places, other cities, but how do they impact each of us? Thoughts about what we can do?
For those from a household or culture that celebrates Lunar New Year (or celebrated while growing up), are you willing to share your feelings about this particular incident? (very understandable if it’s too hard to share at this time)
Sometimes it can feel like the answer might be staying home, isolating, not participating in cultural events that could possibly attract those looking to disrupt with violence. Thoughts on this struggle between isolation vs. leaning into culture and connection as part of healing?