By Ken
The community of San Marino, the affluent neighborhood in the San Gabriel valley of California was papered with white separatist literature recently, with a resident reporting that her and her neighbors found postcards placed in their mailboxes calling for an end to affirmative action with the plea that “White People Need Jobs too.” The opposite side of the flier asks that white people love their race.
Why San Marino? With over 50% of the nearly 13,000 residents Asian Pacific Islander, the target perhaps becomes clear.
One of the recipients of the postcard went to the police and was told that nothing could be done because of free speech. It’s unclear whether the issue of placing items in a mailbox was pursued; it is universally known that placing items in a mailbox by those other than a postal employee is illegal. The recipient said that she suspected that APIs were targeted: Both the Mayor and Vice Mayor are Chinese Americans, and according to the 2010 Census, the Asian population increased by 12% with the white population falling by 12%. According to the San Gabriel Valley news, Asians comprise more than 50% in the valley’s Monterey Park, Walnut, Rowland Heights, San Gabriel, and Rosemead. Congresswoman Judy Chu – who represents District 32 which includes San Marino – was chair of the Select Committee on Hate Crimes.
ABOUT KEN: Ken Choy is an actor, writer, community organizer, and producer of Breaking the Bow. He is gay, green, and gluten-free.
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