Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live cast member, has been praised for his emotional speech on calling out Americans to “do more” in order to attack the anti-Asian hate crime incidents that have been stringing on in the past couple of days.
The comedian had vaguely mentioned incidents such as Xiao Zhen Xie’s incident where her Gofundme has reached up to $900,000, giving back to the community as she is coping on her end to get back up on her feet. The community has faced another account of mourning from the string of shootings based in Atlanta.
He tells the audience that things are insanely bad for Asians, adding, “I’m just a comedian, I don’t have the answers, but I’m not just looking for them online – I’m looking around me.”
His speech has been widely spread online, he also mentions a Mandarin cheer that means “fuel up,” “we ride at dawn, grandma!”
He had started off his segment in a comedic manner, as usual, being introduced to the skit as an “Asian cast member,” where he comments, “Wait, is that my official title?”
Co-star Jost tells him “That’s how you told me to introduce you!” which he responds “Yeah, I set your a** up. It feels good.” As a joke, starting off with a light atmosphere.
He tells things how it is after his bit, saying how “things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks, and all the weeks before that since forever.”
He says that the audience should “tell Asian friends they’re so hot… amplify these Asian voices who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn.. tell the government who the lesbian characters are in Sailor Moon!”
He uses this as a leeway to come into a more serious note, asking “What can I say to help how insanely bad things are? Why are you telling me that you tipped your manicurist well? Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub her feet while she looks at your phone. Do more.”
The reactions he got was supportive from those on Twitter, spreading positivity for his speech.
Anti-Asian hate incidents have been increasing during the pandemic, and the community is progressing slowly on standing up to the violence. There are more cases that have not been closed yet, whether the spa shootings have been racially inclined and if it will be charged with a hate crime.
Other incidents include weird looks on a former Asian immigrant veteran who had served in the U.S. Military, grandmother Xiao Zhen Xie being attacked, a college student being slashed while walking home, and many more.
Replaced!