More on the South Philadelphia High School Attacks

By Guest Writer | Monday, December 7, 2009 | View Comments

By Jason

Having grown up on the East Coast in Washington D.C., which is a fairly multi-cultural community, I was shocked to hear about the assaults and beatings on about 30 Asian students at South Philadelphia High School. Fights broke out inside and outside of the school between mainly black and Asian students and many of those students had to seek medical attention for minor injuries. Up to ten students, both Asian and black, have already been suspended with intent to be expelled and prosecuted by the law.

There is commentary from the students about how a Vietnamese student was attacked by up to 14 other teens and about a lunch brawl where any Asian was targeted and punched or kicked for being Asian. Some reveal their unwanted bruises and marks from that day while describing their fear and helplessness to the situation. What surprised me most was a story from the victims of the lunch brawl. They had heard that there might be an attack in the cafeteria and when they asked an adult employee about the situation, the adult said it would be okay. Yet, it resulted in several students being attacked. It is the school’s responsibility to keep their students safe especially when there is concern about violence. The students themselves say that they do not feel safe at school even with the security guards there.

From all the stories, it is obvious that this has been escalating for a while: the school has a student population of 70% black, 18% Asian, 6% white, and 5% Latino and represents the lower socio-economic group. The school district believes that they have been trying their best possible to ease the racial tension and hold true to their claim that violence has decreased 50% from last year; from 480 to 371 reports, which to me would still make for an unsafe school.

As to why these attacks even occurred, it is likely due to the lack of cultural understanding, especially with the language barrier that many of the newly Chinese immigrants have trouble with. Also it is important to note, as another student had pointed out, that the Asian students tend to stay in their own groups and not interact with the other racially different students.

Although there had not been much violence at the high school I went to — I have never met a bully in my life — I can say from experience that Asians do tend to stay in their own cliques. I have always felt uncomfortable in those tight-knit groups and sought instead to expand my cultural horizons to not just one group.

The school district does have high hopes to finally make their school a safe learning center and have since been working with the community to alleviate this issue.

ABOUT JASON: I grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C., but I have recently moved to L.A., for school and not for fame. I am making my way up in medicine not because I am Asian, but because I want to make a difference.

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Ant_L

How interesting, though sad, to hear about black-on-Asian racism in the US, as the same occurs here in South Africa, where I live.

Whilst black South Africans are very sensitive about anti-black racism, they don't extend the same sensibilities to their Asian fellow-citizens. The conclusion that I have reached is that many (though obviously, not all, ) black people resent, and are envious of, Asian people's work ethic.

Asian people throughout the world have made themselves successful against towering odds, and invariably without the aid of affirmative action programmes, and this has drawn the unwarranted resentment of many working class black people.

It could be said that Asians are the "new Jews". Of course, there is still anti-Judaic sentiment around the world, but Asians parallel the Jewish experience, in that they have settled all over the world and done well for themselves despite hugely unfavourable conditions. For this, they are resented by the locals, who feel that "they" (be they Jews or Asians) are "taking our money" - as if there was only a finite amount of money to be had.

People who do well for themselves are not taking from anyone else. They are actually creating wealth -- and, by so doing, increase the wealth of both their immediate communities and countries at large. Lazy and resentful losers should rather drown themselves in an alcoholic, self-destructive pool of their own misery, instead of lashing out at hard-working achievers!
Jason8Asian

I believe that I have implied something that I did not intend to. I do not believe that these attacks are directly the fault of Asian-American cliques or the fault of any language barrier, and I am not making an excuse to give reason to why it "should" have occurred. It is clearly a racial attack on Asian-Americans. Why is there a racial attack on Asian-Americans? It is caused by the cultural insensitivity to namely Chinese culture (I use Chinese in this case because the majority of the Asian demographic is Chinese) by another culture, mainly African-American.

When I included "Asian cliques" in my response, I did not mean to exclude the fact that other races/ethnicities also form these same type of cliques. The reason of being part of these cliques are the same: to have a sense of familiarity. However, when there are tightly knit groups, in this case separated by race and also partly by language, that barely interact on good terms, there is bound to be tension. When added the element of a lower socio-economic group in an educationally disadvantaged area, the level of violence also becomes an issue. Thus we get this situation. I only meant to note how races/ethnicities form cliques and how it has detrimental effects. My inclusion of specifically "asian" cliques is from my own experience, and I admit to my failure to write in terms of "all races."

Many of the comments here are based on the single paragraph:

As to why these attacks even occurred, it is likely due to the lack of cultural understanding, especially with the language barrier that many of the newly Chinese immigrants have trouble with. Also it is important to note, as another student had pointed out, that the Asian students tend to stay in their own groups and not interact with the other racially different students."

I feel that many of the comments are based on my "apologetic," "innocent," "self-hating," ""DING DING DING JASON IS A MINDLESS ASIAN DOCTOR DRONE!" paragraph. Why base such defining and harsh words on a single paragraph? Am I really this help-less "Asian" just because I of a false notion. Should I not become a doctor because I am doing it for reasons other than filial piety? Why can't I separate myself from those who are, and why can't I compare myself to others who do share the same reason? Are my reasons not good enough? Is filial piety as a reason for med school wrong? I just know too many people pushed by their parents and then end up becoming unhappy in their unwanted occupation.

I also see how someone is "disagreeing with the entire article." Many people end up focusing on the wrong idea and lose sight of the whole picture.
geoyui

I appreciate you commenting on the messages above, but I believe you are focusing on the wrong things. Yes, the majority of the comments are focused on the single paragraph, AS WELL AS THE PARAGRAPH FOLLOWING:

Although there had not been much violence at the high school I went to — I have never met a bully in my life — I can say from experience that Asians do tend to stay in their own cliques. I have always felt uncomfortable in those tight-knit groups and sought instead to expand my cultural horizons to not just one group.

These 2 paragraphs are of your opinion, as the other paragraphs state either facts or generalizations. These 2 paragraphs offer your conclusions as to why these hate crimes occurred. I see your conclusions as incorrect as you clearly state you have no experience growing up in a school system that has done nothing to curb the violence against Asian students. If you have not experienced what these kids faced on a DAILY basis, then what grounds do your conclusions have? How do you come to these conclusions that "the lack of cultural understanding" and "Asians do tend to stay in their own cliques" are the cause, when you yourself state "I have never met a bully in my life"?

For me, you working towards being a doctor is great, but it has nothing to do with this issue. The school systems you grew up in, the lack of violence and bullies in your life, these are the foundations for your incorrect conclusions.

You may have intended to write one thing, but your words came across as another.
b4d

Jason,

Your post reads as other readers have noted, incredibly innocent, at points even apologetic. Lets not forget who the victims are, and lets not provide excuses for the perpetrators. Staying in cliques is not an excuse for unwarranted racial violence. I grew up in an urban multi-cultural environment too. Black kids were just as cliquey as the Asians.

Also "I am making my way up in medicine not because I am Asian, but because I want to make a difference."

Are you serious? Why do you even need to defend yourself? Are you so racially insecure that you must separate yourself from other Asian doctors/med students because of course, they not like you, are in medicine because of filial piety and other absurd racial stereotypes.

I'm not sure whats worth. Having to deal with racists or insecure self-hating Asians.

Thank you for telling me you want to make a difference. I can ignore the alert in my head thats alarming to your Asian nefarious ways.
formerphiladelphian

I should also add that the actions of the Philadelphia School District in response to this incident have been nothing but shameful.

At first, the district openly denied that there was a race element at all (see above video). Then, after much media attention (which it continues to say was overblown), the district claimed that the incident was sparked by an earlier incident in which 2 Asians beat up a Black student (as if that excuses the beating of 30 Asians). Now, the line is that it is not race but rather "English speakers vs. non-English speakers", implying that the Asians brought it upon themselves by not speaking English (this assumes, of course, that all of the Asians victimized are immigrants who don't speak English - something I find hard to believe).

To make matters worse, the Superintendent has now agreed to meet with the Asian students but only (1) at the school; and (2) without anyone else but the parents. She claimed that the venue was necessary in order to show the students how safe the school supposedly is and how the school is diverse. Hmm, never mind the fact that these students have been at that school until the boycott. Also never mind that the school is *NOT* diverse. It is 70% Black. A school that is over 70% White would not be considered diverse. As for safety, it has come out that school staff has been either ignoring the attacks or egging the attackers on and that some staffers themselves have been hurling racial slurs at the Asian students.

I don't think any honest analysis of this situation can be made without a deep look into the demographics of Philadelphia. As previously stated, it is roughly 45% Black and 45% White. Asians and Hispanics make up a tiny proportion of the population. Also, the White population is dwindling and is itself very fractured. You have the yuppies in Center City, the post-college former suburbanite frat boys and sorority girls in Manayunk and East Falls, the old money in Chestnut Hill, and the blue collar populations in Northeast Philly and parts of South Philly. Needless to say, these populations do not tend to vote the same way. Now before anyone slams me for implying that the Black population is homogeneous, I want to note that I fully recognize that there are huge differences in viewpoints between Black professionals, urban poor Blacks, Caribbean Blacks, Blacks who more recently trace their ancestry to Africa, and Blacks who trace their ancestry to slaves. It is unfair to the Black community to assume that all Blacks see things the same way. Certainly in cities like NYC, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, and other cities with a diverse Black population, you do see the difference. However, these largely do not apply to Philadelphia. While there are Black immigrants, Black professionals, etc., by and large the Black population in Philadelphia is inner city, poor, and traces their ancestry to slaves. Yes, I know that not all slaves came from the same ethnicity. The sad truth, however, is that most Black who trace their ancestors to slaves can not identify where the slaves were from because that part of their ancestry has been expunged. Anyway, the point is that the Black population in Philadelphia is much more homogeneous in that, unlike the White population, it is largely poor, inner city, and traces their ancestry to slaves. Thus, while Whites don't all vote in one block, the Black population often does. This has unfortunately led to the election of city leaders that know which side their bread is buttered and who often exploit the victimization attitude to full effect. These city leaders then turn around and appoint, as city officials, people who also toe this line or at least pretend to because they too know which side their bread is buttered. Thus, while anti-Black racism is often highlighted (and rightfully so since racism of all forms is not to be tolerated), racism against any other race often gets short shrift and racism by Blacks against other races gets swept under the rug because highlighting such racism would cut against the whole "Black people are victims of 300 years of American racism" angle which is exploited by Philadelphia's politicians to stay in power.

In September, the Philadelphia Weekly had a cover story on the rising tide of anti-Asian racism in Philadelphia schools. Not a peep was heard from the city then. Without a doubt, were it not for the courage of the Asian students and their ability to quickly organize, this recent matter too would have been swept under the rug. Lord knows the city is already trying its hardest to sweep it under the rug with the district consistently denying the race angle and no other city officials, including the supposed reform mayor Michael Nutter, really addressing the issue. I wish the students and organizers all the best of luck and I wish that they continue the fight and draw more national attention to this issue. While it is unlikely to shame city officials into finally acknowledging that Asians are citizens of their fair city as well and have rights just as much as the Black residents do, it does send a wake up call to Asians out there that the city of Philadelphia is a corrupt place dominated by one race and that you're rights in Philadelphia will not be expected because you make up only 3.5% of the population of that city. Will this wake up call finally lead to change within Philadelphia? Maybe not at first. However, in the same way that Black organizations and business have often avoided having conferences in cities that are perceived as anti-Black, Asian organizations need to similarly boycott the city since the city refuses to properly recognize and defend Asian-American rights. Maybe pressure can also come from the universities as Asians refuse to enroll in schools located in the city because the city will not protect their rights.

The Asian community needs to wake up to what is seriously wrong in Philadelphia. In a similar way to states in the South being hostile to the rights of Blacks, America's 6th largest city has been hostile to the rights of Asians. Also, sadly, in many ways this will likely be the last major protest by Asians for their rights in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has never been seen as a destination city for Asians, either immigrants or people moving from other cities. Also, ever since WWII, the upwardly mobile of all races (Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc.), have largely left the city. 20 years from now, Philadelphia will be poorer, angrier, and more racially monolithic. With the city already ignoring the cries of Asians now, in all likelihood it will continue to ignore them in the future unless the boycott of the city starts now.
formerphiladelphian

Having lived in Philadelphia for almost a decade before moving out of that hellhole, my 2 cents in this are that an Asian person - NO MATTER WHETHER THEY SPEAK ENGLISH PERFECTLY OR NOT AND NO MATTER WHETHER THEY SELF-SEGREGATE OR NOT - will, I repeat WILL, be a victim of racial taunts, threats, slurs, etc. on the streets of Philadelphia. While this can occur everywhere, having lived in most parts of the Northeast from New Hampshire to Virginia and now in NYC, I have to say that Philadelphia is one of the most racist major cities in the U.S.

As a case in point, I'm a middle-aged lawyer, I was born in the US, speak perfect English, do not self-segregate, lived in a good part of the city, have plenty of Black and White friends, etc. That did not stop me from having to face rowdy feral teenagers, homeless people, etc. from shouting "Ching-Chong Chinaman", etc. in my face. One time, as I was simply walking in my own neighborhood (the supposedly yuppified Rittenhouse Square area), a homeless man shouted at me "This is America. Go Home you Chink." When I yelled back that I was born here, he proceeded to shout "You're no American. If you're an American then how come you don't get your eyes rounded out. I'll kill you. I'll gouge your eyes out. You're no American." He kept on going at this and followed me for 2 whole blocks, even as people on this busy street just kept looking the other way. I then turned around and belted him. This being Philadelphia, after I did so, I kept on walking. Knowing the cops, they might have dismissed the racial angle and then cited *me* for inappropriate violence.

What's more, when I told non-Asian people about it, many refused to believe me, saying that such racism doesn't occur in Philadelphia. Some also blamed me for beating up on a homeless guy. Also, many made excuses for the homeless guy, he probably got used to being picked on by others and thus lashed out at me in retaliation.

Not to fan any flames, but all the perpetrators in all those instances were Black. Black vs. Asian racism is nothing new but is especially acute in Philadelphia because of the city's lack of diversity and level of segregation. Philadelphia is basically 45% White, 45% Black, and 10% other. The races almost always live in segregated neighborhoods with the sole exception of Center City where I lived. Because of a slight number advantage and because the White population is increasingly disaffected and moving away from the city, the Black population has dominated city politics with one former mayor once declaring "The brothers and sisters are running the city now". While Black dominance is not a bad thing in and of itself, it does lead to the typical attitude in Philadelphia which is that all racism is only White vs. Black and that Black people are incapable of racism and, any Black vs. Asian racism is caused by Asian people unwilling to integrate. Even in this latest incident, the Philadelphia School District has repeatedly denied the race angle, claimed the violence was instigated by 2 Asian guys who beat up a Black guy the day before (as if that justifies the random beating of 30 Asians), and now claims that the tension was an "English speaker vs. non-English speaker" thing (as if all Asians can't speak English).

The bottom line is that Philadelphia is one f-ed up racist city. If you're Asian, you'll feel it even more so. Other than a few groups in Chinatown, NO ONE will stand up for the rights of Asians in Philadelphia. I did 8 years in that racist hell and will not go back. Any Asian would be a fool to move there from another city. If anything, this should be a giant wake-up call that all is not right by a long shot in Philadelphia. I wish the Asians involved to continue the fight and embarrassed the hell out of the "City of Brotherly Love". Philadelphia has been stuck in the 1950's too long.
Sticky Rice!

High-school is the place of social-learning and general learning. It is a place of social acceptance where people find their clique if any...It is an institution like religion, family, job and governments. People struggle finding where they fit in life especially in high-school.

I have worked here and there and have an understanding of a few institutions :P.

When you have been bullied, ridiculed, taunted, this challenges you to understand where the other party fits in. Here the problem is social acceptance in not one, but 'all institutions'... Here the other party see themselves no different from you. However, 'FOBs' see things different. (Most of my friends are FOBs...)

Different perspectives warrant more time and understanding. This is especially difficult when 'growing up' when finding 'who am I?'. Here FOBs are looking for something not understood by the other party and vice versa. Different perspectives clash. During this stage of growth, people do things to make themselves 'happy'. In other words, selfish and not selfless acts.

Most of my friends are FOBs simply because I like to take the time to understand 'you'. The FOBs in my case came from similar backgrounds as my parents and have affluent backgrounds in education and jobs back home. This warrants understanding of why they came to US/Canada.

Taking the time to contrast the differences in 'why am I here?' will take on a 'collective' perspective that 'we' can understand and work to accept.

A + B = C , 1 + 2 = 3 and You + Me = We.

SR

I disliked high-school...
Simon

I just wanted to add another point that I forgot in my response:

Cultural differences never justifies violence against others.
Xxxtine

I'm in agreement with most of the commentators. It is very hard for someone to learn another language/ culture/ customs earnestly w/o being ridiculed/ teased/ belittled in the process. Why would anyone subject themselves to it? Just because others have a different set of values and priorities does not warrant a punch in the face just because you don't agree w/ how they chose to conduct themselves.
lxy

The reason why these students are being attacked?

It's called anti-Asian racism.

It's American as apple pie, and it's not just limited to Whites. Blacks and other US minorities can be just as guilty.
MaSir

Jason,

The naivety of your post indicates you've never experienced the same kind of racism that these kids are going through. Did you ever come to think that maybe the Asians do not want to hang out with the black students because many of black students are neither school oriented nor friendly?

If the Asian students want to hang out by themselves its their prerogative, just like if white people don't want to associate with poor white trash. Nobody deserves to be beaten for it. With that kind of flawed reasoning, it legitimizes us to go around physically beating the shit out of all the WHITE girls out there who "tend to stay in their own groups and not interact with the other racially different" guys.

My hunch is that they are picked on because they're nerdy and an easy target. I've seen it multiple times while growing up and was even a victim of it from whites and blacks. This has nothing to do with "cultural misunderstanding" but has everything to do with the 1) perpetrators' parenting or lack of and 2) inadequate security for students 3) Asian students not mobilizing sooner to protest.
Tristan Dewar

I didn't read it as many of you have.

The "lack of cultural understanding" cuts both ways. Sure, this alone is not a substantive explanation for why these attacks occurred. However, it could be a significant piece of the puzzle. Hell, I've only been out of high school for five years, and I probably couldn't go back tomorrow and get along with the majority of the kids running the lunchroom. Additionally, how do we know it's not the victims who are being "culturally misunderstood?" If there is a language barrier, then it would be difficult to diffuse a situation in which disrespect has been perceived by the attacking party. Note that I'm not being an "apologist" for the perpetrators; I just think that the author has a point when he concludes that there were definitely misunderstandings.

The biggest problem I have with this post is that clique socialization isn't unique to Asian immigrant communities. I'd bet that the 6% of white students at that school probably stick together, too. If the social environment at the school is as hostile as it seems, then there's no reason the Asian students shouldn't band together.
Confuse_Us

@ Jason.....

"As to why these attacks even occurred, it is likely due to the lack of cultural understanding.............Also it is important to note, as another student had pointed out, that the Asian students tend to stay in their own groups and not interact with the other racially different students."

Sorry, but this kind of thinking is just as damaging for any Asian kids that are being harassed as an actual kick in the teeth. I generally don't hang out with upper-level managers, does that then provide upper-level managers an understandable motive for beating the shit out of me? Your post has no balls. School authorities are breaking the law by permitting attacks of these kinds to continue and for not disciplining school employees for not protecting the kids. There is no justification of any kind for this.
Simon

I disagree with Jason over a majority of his article.

1. You are downplaying the seriousness of the attacks. It's obvious enough that Asian students are being targeted, which at the very least qualifies as a hate crime. And when South Philadelphia High School has most of its Asian student population skipping school fearing for their safety, there is something wrong.

2. Just because you've never met a bully in your life doesn't mean bullies don't exist.

3. It is not about the "lack of cultural understanding." High school punks like these roam in groups looking for easy fights. And what's easier than a group of Asian kids? It doesn't matter if the Asian students can't speak English and stick to cliques. All the attackers want to do is beat the shit out of these kids.
geoyui

I have to completely disagree with Jason's article. These attacks were not because the Asians were in cliques. These attacks were not because of the lack of english speaking ability the students have. These were racially motivated. I work with ESL students, and they are very dedicated to their studies, and are the most focused students I have come across. And actually they can be very sociable, they want to practice their English with those willing to help them practice.

It's funny how you say you've never met a bully and that you've never been in a school were there is a lot of violence, but you can easily assume that because the kids are Asian and that they are immigrants, that they are the cause. People are different in different situations, and if you take those same Asians and put them in your school, I'm sure they'll turn out the same as you. If we took you out of your school and put you in South Philly, I wonder how many fights you would get into and how social you would be with your attackers.

Your conclusions for what caused this horrific situation is completely, and I stress COMPLETELY WRONG. BTW, I'm Chinese, and I attended a school with it's share of violence and I've met bullies.
BigBrotherSpeaks

Wow, just wow. Jason you sound like an apologist for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. Typical blame the victim mentality. To imply that the victims somehow invited these vicious beatings "due to lack of cultural understanding" is extreme ignorance at best and downright dangerous. I get that you had a different experience growing up but to dismiss the very real violence and racism the rest of us experienced is extremely offensive and exactly the type of justification and rationalization the school district, teachers, criminals, and community look for and use to turn a blind eye and look the other way. This was a criminal act, plain and simple. It is an outrage and no civilized community or society should stand for it. To deny it was a racist act is equally appalling and amoral. The silence and cavalier dismissal from people like you will only serve to invite more violence.
lxy

In the attacks. some students had to be hospitalized. Violence against Asian American students have been going on for over a year, and a teacher interviewed had said that previous meetings led to "hot air." They gave us "another phone number to call," he said. Students said attacks occurred inside and outside the school, at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue. They said that they were targetted because they were Asian; primarily Chinese but also a Vietnamese student have been attacked. According to one of the victims, both males and females, primarily African Americans, participated in the attacks.

More on the story:
http://www.apimovement.com/schools/asian-americ...
JC

The issue is that the attackers were black kids. If they were white then perhaps the school will react a bit differently. It's just a terrible situation for all those involved, and the white kids in their burbs are laughing at all this.
Sticky Rice!

You are looking for A. I am looking for B. When we have both have found what we have looking for, we will look C.

BUT... what is A and what is B? There has to be more than A, B, C! Is it similar to 1, 2, 3?

Nawh! 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 and 4 comes right after 3.

I don't get it! So what is the 'problem'? It is called Algebra!

Algerwah?!?

A, L, G, E, B, R, A.

A and B are variables which make up C.

Solve for C when A = Y and B = Z...

Therefore the answer should be __FILL IN THE BLANK__ ?...

Let's go ask the teacher Mr. 'White'! I think he can help sort this out. Yeah! That is a great idea!

Sticky Rice!
tmtran

It is human nature to drift towards those similar to yourself. You were lucky enough to grow up in a community of diversity. These kids are unfortunately in a community that seems to dislike diversity. (Majority minority does not equal diversity.) You write about the Asian kids sticking to one another, but what about the black students who stick together? Isn't it the same? The fact that these kids form "cliques" should not make them targets for discrimination. Additionally, I don't think the Asian students are being "clique-y." They are in similar social situations: they are immigrants and they are being attacked for being immigrants. Forgive them for finding empathy in each other when the administration, which should be a safe haven, does nothing to protect them.

8 Asians