While reading, They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, I asked myself, “How much longer will this hatred go on for?” We witnessed the harsh and unjust treatment that Japanese-Americans faced after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Asian Americans experienced discrimination 80 years ago, and Asian Americans are still being discriminated against today in 2021. You would think that people would have used the past as a learning opportunity to distinguish what is right from wrong, but the sad truth is that nothing has changed from back then.

As I read the graphic novel, I was able to make connections to what was happening in our world today. The movement called “Stop Asian Hate” has been circling around the internet bringing light to the cruel actions that AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) are facing, mainly due to COVID-19. The website linked provides a place to report incidents, the latest news in the Asian American community, and a donation center to provide support for the AAPI community. Asians are being blamed for the virus; people are using it as an excuse to verbally and physically abuse Asian men and women of all ages.

There are instances of hate crimes against Asians almost every day; people are being harassed and called names, beaten up, murdered, and shot. The question that lingers in my mind is, “Why do people do this to us?” What could be the motivating factor that is so strong to the point where someone can hurt helpless elders or children? And how come nothing is being done by the government to show support or provide safety for Asian Americans? Speaking from my personal experience, my friends and family are anxious every time they leave their house, unsure of what is going to happen to them at everyday places such as the grocery store or mall. My parents have to remind me to be careful because we never know what people’s real intentions are; they even bought pepper spray for me to bring along whenever I go hang out with my friends. Why do we have to feel scared going out in public in a place where we have lived our entire lives?

Throughout the novel, when George and his family had to move to the camps, I also noticed how selfless his parents were. They sacrificed several things to ensure the happiness of their children. I made a connection between my parents and his; although my parents already work everyday to provide a house, food, and clothes for me and my brother, they go above and beyond and make sure that we enjoy the things we have. Both of my parents came to the United States when they were young so they had a rough childhood, so they tried their best to make sure my brother and I would have an amazing childhood to make up for the fact that they didn’t. The comic really opened my eyes and made me realize that I should show more appreciation towards my parents even for the little things in life.