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Racism in GAPSN? Part I
| Racism in GAPSN? Part I |
Racism in GAPSN? Part II |
Racism in GAPSN? Part III |
By Leo Yamashita Joslin
From InformAsian, GAPSN Monthly Newsletter, February 1992
"GAPSN is a racism group." I've heard this statement several times over the past few weeks and I find myself growing weary of it. I think that it's time to address this issue and meet it head-on with a position that clearly states that this organization is non-racist. To not formally address the issue is to leave us open to such criticisms.
I feel that our desire to hold "Asian Only" raps, our restriction of such raps to Asian/Pacific Islander's (API), is the source of the charge of racism. But I fail to see how our policy justifies such a serious accusation as racism. My personal position is that to call GAPSN a racist group, which in turn implies that its members are racist, is unfair to many hard-working individuals to truly care about the community. I would like to make the following statements:
I support the right of Gay & Lesbian youth to hold raps for people who are under 24 years old, such as the youth group that meets at the GLCSC. I do not feel that I am being discriminated against just because I am not being allowed to attend their raps because I am over 24 years old. I do not accuse them of practicing ageism. I understand that they have their own issues to deal with.
I support the right of women to hold closed meeting to discuss their issues. I do not accuse them of sexism, even though they might throw me out if I were to show up at a "women-only" closed rap.
I support the right of HIV positive individuals to meet in closed raps to address their issues. I do not feel that they are practicing discrimination and as an HIV negative, I support their right to exclude me from their meetings, regardless of the fact that I may have a lot to offer in the way of support.
I could go on and on with the various groups that have chosen this particular format for addressing their issues. I'll make my final statement of support for Gay Asian Pacific Islanders to meet in closed raps to address their own issues and concerns. I support GAPSN because I understand that we are the only ones who truly know what it is like to be a gay API. And we have our own issues to deal with.
The membership of GAPSN represents a group of individuals who feel most comfortable in discussing the issues facing Gay API's in a closed setting. This is the forum that we have chosen and desire. To call GAPSN a racist group is to imply that hatred and bias is characteristic of its membership. This is unfair and an assertion that needs to be challenged. I would like to see the membership challenge the accusation that we are racists. Let's define racism and see how the dynamics of racism work in our own unique situation. I have expressed a personal opinion and I invite all members to submit their own personal opinions on this issue. Let's explore it in future a philosophy and address racism in GAPSN, in the Gay API community, in the greater Gay Community, and in our world and our lives. Please write in and express yourself. This newsletter is your forum and a means to let the world hear our voices. No one else is going to speak for us. It's up to you and me.
