This is a unique perspective and, as a first-generation (younger) South Asian immigrant, I want to make a few notes.

• Prejudice (let’s call it what it is) against blacks is not unique among first generation Han Chinese but many immigrant communities. It’s not prevalent among Indian Americans but it’s still there, usually more so in the older first-generation demographic as you describe in your article.
• The difference with first-generation immigrant populations is that racism is a choice that they had to accept in exchange for a better life. Think about that. Racism is part of the deal. And as an immigrant you accept that deal.
• On the flip side, although racism exists, so does meritocracy. This is where I believe the debate gets more heated because the argument against institutional racism is… meritocracy. “We work harder” is a common argument. “We study more” is another one. The difference is, your grandparents and great grandparents weren’t slaves. The history of slavery destroys the meritocracy argument, stomps on it, and spits on the face of anyone who claims that racism is an “African American” problem. Why? Because it can happen to your ethnicity. Just as it happened before. History repeats itself, except to the ignorant.
• This is also the most frustrating thing about Trump: he doesn’t seem to represent meritocracy but racism. Sure he works hard. But he is tall, white, born into wealth, got half a Billion (with a B) from his father, and can’t persuade anyone who doesn’t ascribe to his narcissistic, misinformed beliefs.
• Yet, I still believe in American meritocracy. I am a living example of this. My parents are living examples of this. As non-whites, our duty as American citizens is to protect meritocracy and expand it for everyone of all color in this country. That’s what the civil rights leaders that came before us did for all people of color, all immigrants, all African Americans. This is how we fight institutional racism. Not by blaming others, but by bringing them up. By acknowledging the deck is stacked against some people and giving them a better hand.

Good article.

- Yatit