It’s hard and uncomfortable to talk about race—but I have to tell you this story.
I’m always saddened and surprised at how much people roll their eyes at it. At how much we’re unwilling to hear each other. It’s why I’m always scared to bring it up.
When I share I’ve experienced racism, I’ve been called crazy, oversensitive, dramatic, or a liar. “You’re reading into it too much” or “It’s all in your head” or “That doesn’t happen anymore.” Is it always racism? Maybe not. But without confronting ourselves, there’s no hope of healing and accountability. Then our stuff stays hidden and continues to destroy.
In this video, I discuss the two most dangerous lies we tell that prevent us from hearing each other. Whether it’s race, gender, mental health, culture, class, or faith: we all get dismissed in some ways. We need to hear each other more, not less. Real compassion is not comfortable, but confronts the injustice that has been ignored. Compassion challenges us to be better.
In particular, it seems no one cares about the Asian-American experience at all. When I talk about it, it’s always ghost town. I am invisible. I know my story is not as hard as many others; I’m generally lucky. But it’s still a lonely thing when nobody hears you—especially when no one believes you. My hope is that even if your story isn’t like mine, you would still hear me, and that I would hear you too.
[Thank you to Moody Publishers for sharing this video on Instagram.]
J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, author, sixth degree black belt, ex-atheist, Korean-American, and follows Christ.
J.S. has a B.A. in Psychology from USF and a Master's from SEBTS. He lives with his wife, dog, and daughter in sunny Florida.
View all posts by JS Park
4 thoughts on “I Am Invisible: No One Ever Believes I’ve Experienced Racism”
I believe you. A mom of an Asian boy said because he was an Asian boy he was experiencing racism as a grade schooler. She told me “Americans love Asian girls but do not trust Asian boys.” I am sorry you have experienced the hatred of being different, of being a minority. I know that at times this isn’t enough but for what it is worth. God loves you. I love you.
I find all your experiences valid and interesting. I think part of why people don’t believe you is because you seem like someone who has it all together. In a sense, you can fit their myth of model minority in appearance. I totally believe you though. I experience some of the same things growing up, but maybe not as severe as you. Keep on writing and speaking. We all benefit from your voice. That’s your gift, my guy.
J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian 
I believe you. A mom of an Asian boy said because he was an Asian boy he was experiencing racism as a grade schooler. She told me “Americans love Asian girls but do not trust Asian boys.” I am sorry you have experienced the hatred of being different, of being a minority. I know that at times this isn’t enough but for what it is worth. God loves you. I love you.
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It’s the racist “sneaky Japanese” trope. I heard that crap growing up, EVEN THOUGH I’M CHINESE. I grew up in FL, just like Mr. Park.
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Yes, I too believe that is the source of this perverted thinking, i.e., “sneaky Japanese” trope.
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I find all your experiences valid and interesting. I think part of why people don’t believe you is because you seem like someone who has it all together. In a sense, you can fit their myth of model minority in appearance. I totally believe you though. I experience some of the same things growing up, but maybe not as severe as you. Keep on writing and speaking. We all benefit from your voice. That’s your gift, my guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person