MTV – A Reminder of our pain
March 2021
https://www.mtv.com.au/news/0lezq6/asian-australians-on-georgia-attacks
These shootings have brought up a deluge of pain for many Asian-Australians, particularly Asian-Australian women. We are feeling this at visceral, physical and energetic levels – the pain that has been held by generations of women before us. When we saw these women murdered, we saw a part of ourselves being murdered and being reminded of our collective pain.
We re-experience the moments of being fetishised by non-Asian men. The moments where our experiences of discrimination were minimised. The times when we were told that we are the 'model minority' – heads down, do the work, keep quiet. Repeated experiences of colonisation – when we are told that we are not worthy. Of power and control in our personal spaces and the workplace. Of yet another experience of racism during COVID. Of oppression experienced by women in generations before us – 'comfort women', bound feet, concubines.
Again, it is taking the deaths of women for the world to just barely lift its head to take notice.
This act of terrorism has motivated me to further support and build the foundation for Asian-Australian women to live their own paths, to strengthen their own self-worth and to live in their truth and power. I am further driven to coach women to align their paths with their strengths, values and desires as well as holding spaces where the community can come together to connect and provide nourishment for one another.
Jean Sum is a life coach at Sum Of Jean where she provides coaching services for young Asian-Australian women. She invites readers to reach out to her for support.
