{"id":14333,"date":"2020-05-30T14:46:50","date_gmt":"2020-05-30T18:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kimberlypearl.co\/blog\/?p=14333"},"modified":"2024-11-06T22:50:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T06:50:08","slug":"new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kimberlypearl.co\/blog\/new-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"A New “Normal”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"brother

Brother Vellies Oaxacan Mug<\/a> + Letters to a Young Poet<\/em><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

I’m grasping to find the right words to share how these past few weeks have made me feel: I’ve been devastated, defeated, then furious. Heart in the pit of my stomach at how so many still don’t understand; I wish I could shake the indifference or hate out of them. I wish I could scream<\/em>\u2014only I can’t. Injustice and hypocrisy fall short on deaf ears; it’s impossible to reason with those who refuse to open their eyes. I could cry angry, heartbroken tears right now. (As I write this, I feel the wetness welling in my eyes, the growing tightness in my throat.)<\/p>\n

I’m frustrated by this world. And I’m even angrier with myself for not being more outspoken. Being gentle isn’t enough anymore\u2014and I say this as a second-generation, Taiwanese-American woman whose upbringing revolved around bending, not breaking; keeping your head down to win in the long run; avoiding attention or outing yourself as a stick in the mud, because that’s how we lose the game here. I understand the mindset, I do: it’s how my parents were able to survive and make a life for themselves in a country that rejected them 30 years ago and still does to this day<\/em>. It’s simply not enough to power through to the top and hope to win. I thought I could, but I see it now.<\/p>\n

Or is it the way when protests for justice are reduced to “rioting” and “looting”\u2014and therefore grounds for “shooting” on-site? I’m disgusted paraphrasing the words from a man who dares think himself a leader. As a POC you’re silenced regardless of which path you choose. Walk the road of feigned indifference, no matter how the hateful words and actions break you inside, because you must be lawful and good\u2014until years of muffled silence has trained you to fear using your voice, even when you finally feel ready. Choose action and you risk everything\u2014friends, career, livelihood, your life<\/em>.<\/p>\n

There is light, though. If anything, this forced solitude has given me perspective. Seeing the call to education and action rumble through the world\u2014even while most of us are still at home\u2014brings hope. So many have shared incredible messages on what to read, how to learn, and how to move forward in action. At the end of the day, education is paramount\u2014and because we live in a capitalist world, money is power. Here are some links to helpful or eye-opening resources:<\/p>\n