The Way You See: A Litany for APIDA Heritage Month
Written by Erina Kim-Eubanks for Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, during APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American) Heritage Month in May 2021. Based on Psalm 139:14, and written in connection with this poem.
ONE
Creator God,
Your works are wonderful and we know that full well
MANY
You see us all as beloved children,
Created with intention, held in grace, precious in your sight.
ONE
As our Asian American community is seen as a virus,
a peril, a threat to be eliminated
MANY
Remind us that you see our bodies as sacred.
From our elders to children, our lives are worth protection.
ONE
As we are seen for our deficiencies-
our voices too quiet, our appearance too foreign,
our foods too pungent, our accents too harsh,
MANY
Remind us that you celebrate our being.
You call all of us “very good” and say we are enough.
ONE
As we are seen as a monolith-
Our identities melded, our particularities erased
MANY
Remind us of the diversity of our community-
48 countries, hundreds of languages,
Stories unique and worthy of acknowledgement.
ONE
As we are seen as complicit-
only pursuing comfort, only caring for our own,
MANY
Remind us of our ancestry of resistance,
Freedom fighters and solidarity movements marking our story.
ONE
As we are erased and stereotyped,
scapegoated and judged
Give us eyes to see the way you see.
MANY
From our names to our songs,
Our food to our families,
Our rituals to our languages,
Our gifts to our theologies,
We are worthy to be celebrated.
And you are a Creator worthy to be praised.
Amen.
