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!

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.

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.

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.

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.