Lion Dance Symbolism
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On a more troublesome note in the midst of all the festivities. The Lion Dance, a symbolic cultural dance of protection from evil and chasing it away from the people — that is needed now more than ever for not only those of us of multi ethnic including Asian/Pacific Islander descent but all Asian American people especially. When hate crimes towards Asian Americans has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic and a growing animosity to blame as being held responsible for the COVID19 illness — that is a problem that is not so unlike the animosity that grew towards those of visible Middle Eastern descent, just anyone that was non White Brown skinned in general in many cases, and certainly anyone who identified as Muslim during the era of 9/11. As composed in highly publicized media articles such as Refinery29 UK as well as the Los Angeles Times publishing the outcry of Asian American actors such as Daniel Dae Kim asking for justice in recent racially motivated attacks against citizens of Asian American descent. This has been occurring throughout the US therefore the aforesaid articles spoke on the heightening of violence towards Asian Americans and has steadily been increasing since the beginning of COVID.
It seems anytime something goes wrong in the world where people of color are concerned thus thrown in as the “responsible parties” as erroneous as can be there always exists that retaliatory spirit and mentality towards people of color. It seems we are always the scapegoat of stigmatization and the central point of bitterness. Hopefully 2021 Year of The Ox will bring better fortune & blessings to Asian American people as well as all people of color that have been stigmatized and unjustly mistreated or in too many cases even murdered based on hatred. As we’ve seen the direly needed and protested against violence against Black Lives in the Black Lives Matter Global Network Movement it is apparent in America there is still much work to be done against bigotry, hatred, discrimination, and ignorance.
