PebHmong Discussion Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: theking on May 23, 2023, 02:11:13 AM
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‘Negativity and lies spread like wildfire.’ Racist Asian stereotypes on the menu in Fresno
Even after the avalanche of angry messages and threats, all caused by an internet rumor that indulges the worst Asian-American stereotypes, David Rasavong would rather not resort to the “r” word.
Racism.
“I hate the word because my parents never raised me to be a victim,” the Fresno restaurateur said. “They were refugees. They taught me to work hard and keep my head down.”
That’s OK. I’ll say it for him. Rasavong, his family and employees are victims of racism in its most bald, blatant form. They’ve been inundated with angry messages and violent threats based on racist stereotypes and false assumptions touched off by a busybody’s irresponsible social media post.
Enough for Rasavong to shut down Tasty Thai, a seven-month-old operation on First Street in south central Fresno across from Romain Park. He isn’t certain when — or if — the small takeout restaurant will reopen.
“I still feel like we don’t know,” Rasavong said. “It only takes one angry person that shows up who saw something online. You think the worst-case scenarios.”
Opinion
Those scenarios ran through Rasavong’s head Friday afternoon when he and his wife returned to Tasty Thai to film a spot for the local TV news.
Is that car slowing down in front of the restaurant because the driver spotted cameras and TV trucks, or for some other reason? And what about that guy across the street with a camera? He’s been parked for more than an hour.
“I’m not saying anyone was there to harm us, but you never know,” Rasavong said. “Even the (TV reporters) were turning around. I’d rather play it safe and see how this all plays out.”
“All this” is a concoction of disgusting ingredients. The worst parts of humanity tossed together to make a foul-tasting tom kha gai.
False assumptions fuel racist stereotypes
It began several days ago when a Fresno woman posted a video on Facebook and Instagram of a dog tied up outside house, without access to water, on a hot sunny day. By complete happenstance, the house in question was next door to Tasty Thai.
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This is like that bike incident in NY... these people on social media that's spreading these false accusations need to be sued into oblivion.
I see this happened way too many times... people's lives ruin by social media...