International Students for Broader Solidarity (I/IV)
An open letter to all international students, alumni, and friends amid the surge of anti-Asian violence
(Part 1/4)
Opinions in this open letter are our own and not the views of our universities, our employers, or our organizations. To consider your next steps after reading and sharing the letter, click here.
Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021
Dear international students, alumni, and friends,
On March 16, 2021, the Atlanta shootings rippled throughout the United States, especially among the Asian American communities. Meanwhile, many have engaged in conversations, either online or in-person, regarding the ongoing systemic violence against the Asian communities that surged at the beginning of this global pandemic. As Asian international students and alumni, we realize that we have to address the long-standing conversational void within our international student communities, especially when it comes to conversations about race. For too long, we have stayed silent, wishing for quiet academic achievements and career successes; however, we now realize that our merits do not guarantee safety nor success. This realization also allows us to empathize with other minority communities who have suffered bouts of racism in similar and different ways. That is why we write this letter to you: as a part of the international student communities, we must expand our comfort zones, start honest conversations about racism, and build broader solidarity with other communities.
We, the authors of this open letter, represent a slice of the Asian international student communities here in Northern America. We recognize that even among ourselves, we represent a diversity of life experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Some of us became international students two years ago, while others have been international students longer than a decade. Some are readjusting to life back in our passport countries, grappling with what and where our home should be. In our respective passport countries, we may represent the ethnic majority or the ethnic minority. We are also of different genders and socioeconomic backgrounds. Nonetheless, we are united by our common experience as student visa holders who are racialized as Asians, even though we never self-identify as Asians in our home or passport countries. More importantly, we are united by our common desire to serve international students of any background — including any faith journey — through dialogue, understanding, healing, reconciliation, and building solidarity with other minority groups.
Our student visas have allowed us the privilege to experience and participate in lives in different societies, but they have also put us in a vulnerable position where we are constantly negotiating various cultural, social, political, and ideological spaces. However, we are not willing only to be studied and commodified as a passive subset of the higher education population. We are tired of being sidelined because we are perceived as foreigners in a perpetual struggle to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers. Although we cannot claim absolute expertise, we offer our authentic selves because we can be vulnerable yet powerful agents of change. Accordingly, we realize that this letter represents a unique space where international students can empower and support one another.
During this Holy Week, we prepare for Good Friday. We lament and confess, seeing the sins of the world upon the rugged cross. We also look forward to Resurrection Sunday to celebrate and commit to the redeemed world and humanity through Jesus Christ. On this Maundy Thursday, we remember how the Divine Incarnate washed the feet of his disciples, giving this new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Although this letter is motivated by our shared Christian convictions, we strive to include everybody. We invite everybody to join further conversations and collaborations with mutual respect and recognition of our universal humanity. We invite you to lament, confess, celebrate, and commit together with us. These initial steps can become a foundation to build mutual understanding and solidarity with other students of all backgrounds to stop hatred and injustice.
Lastly, to all international students: you are not alone. We see you. You are loved. And to our friends and allies: thank you for journeying together with us.
Please join us this Friday as we lament and confess our sins and brokenness of apathy, ignorance, and arrogance that we share with the world.
With love,
Your fellow international students and alumni.
This is Part 1 of our letter. Read Part 1, Part 2.
In this letter, we recognize that we have used phrases and terms that can be unfamiliar and misunderstood. That is why we are hoping to release more articles and resources in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, if you need some space to ask questions and process, please share with us.
If you want to join us in helping international students, please consider sharing this letter and learning more about your next steps.
Contributors:
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Emily Ding 陈贞颖
B.A. Anthropology ‘21, Wheaton College, IL
Singapore
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Lanya Feng (she/her)
M.A. History ‘21, Toronto
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Gwyneth Hadasa
B.S. Nutrition & Dietetics ‘22, AR
Indonesia
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Yihong Hu 胡一泓
B.S. Environmental Science and Urban Studies ‘19
China
.
Zoey Ng 吳素茹 (she/her)
M.A. Clinical Psychology ‘20; Psy.D. Year 3, Wheaton College, Illinois
Founding Chairperson, International Graduate Students Club at Wheaton College
Hong Kong
.
Given Tanri 陳立航 (he/him)
B.S. Chemistry ’20, Wheaton College, Illinois
Co-founder, Indonesian National Association at Wheaton College
Indonesia
.
Hanny Wuysang (she/her)
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling ’18, Wheaton College
Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Student, Western Michigan University
Indonesia
.
