Dear white friends,
I grew up in and live in the PDX area. The stress of living as a Thai-Cambodian woman in such a white city replete with constant interpersonal and institutional racism has a big toll on my health and wellbeing.* I see an amazing therapist to cope with this shit, but I spend $100/month on therapy for bi-weekly appointments. Now it's your turn to pay!
Did you know that stress builds up cumulatively, resulting in higher risks of disease? And that stress related to every day racism has been found a major factor in health disparities among people of color, including mental health disorders? And that "stress due to experiences of racism can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, when combined with the effects of general and maternal stress"? Read more here:
Health Disparities and Stress. And here:
How Racism Is Bad for Our Bodies. Or visit your local library for more research!
Also, as of 2007, "Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Asian-Americans aged 15-34." Risk factors include the experience of discrimination. Read more here:
Suicide Among Asian-Americans. Or visit your local library!
I'm 29 and really tired. I've already overcome liver disease and continually manage chronic conditions of Marfan's Syndrome (like monitoring an enlarged aorta. The more stress I feel, the more I put my heart condition at risk) and depression. I want to live a healthy, happy life. I want to have a healthy, happy family in the future too. Help me pay for therapy to deal with the stress of racism. Please don't let racism shorten my life or kill me.
Love,
Rinna
* If you're asking "why doesn't she just move away from Portland?", you're no different to me than the people who tell me "go back to your own country!" I shouldn't have to deal with racism
anywhere and I shouldn't be expected to abandon my hometown and family either.