South+Philly+High

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My heart was racing; the beat matched the rhythm of my eyes as they darted back and forth. This high school wasn’t safe, and I wasn’t safe. I was hated because I was Asian. I could hear tense laughter right behind me. I sped up my walk, but the feeling of being hunted wouldn’t go away. Something shoved me from behind, and my face connected with the floor. A tingling sensation moved throughout my nose (it was nothing compared to my throbbing head), and ever so slowly, red drops began appearing. No one bothered to even look at me as my books and bag were swept away…the malice in the fading laughter was obvious now. A searing pain shot through my side... and I was left to rot in darkness.

My family and I had come here, to America, for a new life. In communist china, we had much too many ridiculous and difficult laws. Here, we have the freedom of speech, the rights of a true citizen. Nothing like this was given to us by the Chinese government. What was the American dream that everyone was whispering about back home? Once I stepped off that plane, I was determined to find out. On the first day of high school, I was ready to make the best out of my free education. I looked forward to making new friends and speaking English. Since my friends and I are targeted and attacked daily, I won’t be able to learn. All that I wanted was a safe environment to learn in…now this changes everything.

I could hear the sounds of busy traffic; cars honking, people angrily bartering. The scent of savory rice and chicken chased away the noise, and I was back in my old room. The bed was in disarray, and my toys were scattered on the floor. I was 7 years old again. Most of my friends in school were crying out “ameeerrrriicaa” over and over again like it was some song. My mother told me that America was a beautiful place. “You could be anything you want. Your father and I will have a big house, and we will have jobs.” My mother told me with sparkles in her eyes. She continued with a hushed tone “You can talk about our leader freely, and speak your mind so that the world will know how you feel and see.” After what she said, I joined the schoolyard chants without a second thought. On all of my birthdays, I wished that I would have a chance to live in America, and become a free American.

- SPHS student, victim

(the above is a re-enactment)

December 3, 2009 at South Philly High - A Day to Remember

Thirteen Asian students from South Philly High School showed up at their local hospital being treated for injuries that ranged from minor cuts and bruises to major, more serious, wounds. One of the students even testified that this “was the most blood he has seen.” Luckily there were no fatal injuries but much more students were victims of the violent attack – they just chose not to make a hospital visit for fear of the medical bills that they would to be responsible for later on. The students were not average students and the attack was not a random attack. A specific group of Asian immigrants - the same immigrants who hoped to come to America in pursuit of a better life - were the victims of this violent attack. But this attack was not the first act of violence targeted at the immigrant students; it has already become a frequent scene at South Philly High – so frequent that students have been fearful of attending school. Still school officials and staff refused to protect the students against further attacks and failed to take responsibility for the attack of December 3rd.

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(see the Glogster in full size, move the mouse to the word "glogster" in the top right and click full size)

Students Respond to December 3

Fifty students united on December 8 in their protest against anti- immigration and anti- Asian violence. They courageously boycotted school for a total of eight days to put pressure on school officials to act. This boycott caught the attention of the media and helped the students to develop a team of allies - mostly nonprofit organizations such as the AAU. Since then, it has been reported that the school has instated a new principal but this is not sufficient for the parents or students nor will they be satisfied with such minimal change for the underlying issue has still not been addressed. The nature of the violence is due to the discrimination against immigrants and students are pushing to have the School District of Philadelphia establish a plan to solve the problem.

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To read the actual testimonies of some the students click HERE

** AALDEF FILES CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT AGAINST PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT ** here is the actual filed complaint:
 * Response to the complaint:**

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America has always been know for its smörgåsbord of people and cultures since the time of its founding. We were all once immigrants ﻿(except for the Native American) who came here to find a better life. The pursuit of happiness - it is a right not a privilege.

For more information and updates: Go to The Asian American United Website