On May 1, I was honoured to join Peel Regional Police at their kickoff luncheon celebrating Asian Heritage Month.
My presentation noted that we've seen much progress since my childhood in southern Ontario, but recalled how narratives can still create barriers and inequities for those of us that are read as having origin stories tied to Asia.
I particularly noted how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how quickly prevailing narratives and stereotypes changed.
Early on, East Asian communities bore the brunt of stigma and discrimination manifested as avoidance, blame and hate, and leading to attacks, some with fatal outcomes.
Later, amid high transmission rates and mortality among the South Asian community, we recall the false narrative that emerged suggesting that this was due to ethnocultural differences, rather than the real driver: extant inequities arising from essential work and socioeconomic status.
Then, touching on personal experiences as a leader read as East Asian, I noted that I was not and am still reluctant, at times, to thrust my identity about--but that I have learned that leaders must be aware of prevailing narratives and their impact.
Through my own leadership career, I have, at times, experienced directed discrimination and harassment, particularly amid crisis.
During the pandemic, the heated and vigorous disagreement that many public health officers faced was compounded by my being read as East Asian. Tweets and e-mails would double down on stereotypes around Asian leaders, rumours and misinformation, and threats as well as frank attacks on my identity and allegiances.
Those moments, however, reminded me that identity is truly a personal matter.
Identity is who we say we are; the unique sum of all the experiences and communities of which we are fortunate to be a part; not what others label us as, in seeking to push us down.
I've long thought of the idea of a 'bamboo ceiling' that faces Asian leaders in a different way. Bamboo is, in fact, incredibly strong, and perhaps we are the that ceiling; strength sewn into our identity.
A chapter in my draft memoir touches on this idea of claiming one's story and staying steadfast amid tests and challenge. I'd venture such tests also present moments for reflection, as well as practicing empathy for those who sadly choose division over collaboration.
More importantly, I know such incidents are the exception, not the norm. Peel's real pandemic story is one of resilience: of one of the world's most diverse communities coming together to save lives and keep each other well.
Among those groups was Peel Police, and I was truly glad for the chance to share gratitude for all the work of our police partners, and my leadership reflections, alongside other Asian leaders in the Peel community.
This post originally appeared on Lawrence's LinkedIn profile.
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