In front of Parks Library in the free-speech zone, students of all races came to support the Racism Awareness Rally put on by the Asian Pacific American Awareness Coalition.

The cold did not deter spirits among the crowd of 20-plus Asian students holding signs with phrases like, “We are more than a stereotype,” “Racism is still alive” and “Silent no longer.”

Nikki Cavan, senior in accounting and president of APAAC, began the rally with an elaboration of the purpose for such a public meeting to occur.

“Our purpose is for all students to stand against racism,” Cavan said. “The Daily was just a catalyst for why we are here.”

Cavan discussed the insensitivity of the response of some of the student body to the “Just Sayin’” column and called for some of the members to share what the rally meant to them.

Naipong Vang, junior in management information systems and vice president of APAAC, stepped to the podium with his thoughts.

“What this rally means to me is the learning opportunity for others; we have a clash of cultures and this is a way for us to learn from each other,” Vang said. 

Emotions grew stronger as student after student stood up with their accounts of being verbally attacked with racist phrases like “chink” or “squinty” throughout their lives. For many, it seemed that having racism follow them to college, where diversity was thought to prevent such happenings, was a letdown.

Elizabeth Yang, sophomore in pre-business and member of APAAC, astonished listeners with an account of unfair stereotyping and racism she had encountered in the Hub just minutes before the rally began.

“Two Caucasian boys were staring at me and saying things to each other like, ‘I never understand a word of what Asians say, it all sounds the same to me.’”

Yang responded in defense to the students with words expressing her disgust at their impressions.

“If you see things like this happening, you need to take a stand,” Yang said.

The crowd, touched by her bravery, cheered in support.

Cavan again called for students to share their experiences saying, “We need to share the social injustices that we have faced.”

Tyson Marsh, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies, proceeded to the stand in support of the students.

“I’ve never lived somewhere that I have felt as unsafe as I do here,” Marsh said.

He went on to tell one of many stories that happened near him as he was walking his dog near Campustown where three men were using racial slurs in reference to Barack Obama.

When one of the men asked to pet his dog, Marsh identified himself as an African-American citizen and expressed that racial remarks and threats toward the president were not OK.

“I may have lighter skin, but I identify myself as African-American,” Marsh explained.

In regards to hearing racial slurs and stereotyping, Marsh remarked, “When you hear it, confront it.”

Katherine Marcheski, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication and member of the International Student Council, then took the podium.

“I hear [racial slurs] all the time in the dorms,” she said. “At one point or another, all your parents were immigrants. We need to find some empathy here.”

As the hour passed, there were many that gathered in support of the rally and the amount of passers-by seemed to exceed their numbers.

The group ended the rally with a unified march to ISCORE in support of the guest speaker, Grace Amemiya, a 92-year-old Japanese internment camp survivor.