Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

During the LA riots, African Americans looted and burned many shops in Koreatown. Few so called "Asian-American" organizations condemned the atrocious violence perpetrated against the Korean Americans in the riots. Some even blamed the Korean American victims, as if the economic difficulties of others were their fault.

That was in the 1990s, but today is not much different. Peter Liang, a Chinese-American cop, was singled out for indictment over an accidental gun discharge while white cops who killed with intent across the US have faced no charges. Chinese Americans rightfully protested this obvious inconsistency in the justice system.

In return, some Asian-American groups attacked the Chinese-American protests and misrepresented their position as wanting to be able to kill African Americans and get away with it like white cops do. This false accusation was truly disgusting, but not at all surprising when you understand these "activists" have not nor will they ever be on your side.

If an African-American dies unjustly at the hands of police, you will see them. They will demand you support the initiatives of other groups and if you don't, you support the unjust deaths. If that policeman is Chinese or Asian, then you will see them. You will see them attack you for not addressing the "racism in Asian culture." You will see them attack you as wanting to be able to kill minorities like white cops do. If you oppose affirmative action because you believe that it negatively affects you or your children in university, solely because of their race, you will see them oppose you and insist you endure it because it helps other minorities.

These groups have others in their focus; others are their top priority, not Chinese or Asians. They will only come to you when they want your support for the initiatives of other groups. When you go through your own issues, you will never see them. When Chinese stores are robbed, you will never see them. When Chinese deliverymen are attacked, you will never see them. When Chinese women are targeted by unwanted sexual advances or rape, you will never see them. When Chinese students are bullied by racists, you will never see them. When Chinese are assaulted for speaking Putonghua, as happened in Arizona recently, you will never see them.

They have purposely turned a blind eye and are silent to all that Chinese go through in the US. They have purposely opposed Chinese speaking out and defending their interests. Yet they still have the audacity to demand your support for the initiatives of others, Asian activists who are only active for non-Asian interests.

This is why it is vital that Chinese going to the US communicate, network and organize with each other. Do it through WeChat, as the ones who organized the protests for Peter Liang did. One of the largest Asian protests in the US ever happened through this method. Not only did its success have nothing to do with these "Asian-American" groups who pretend to speak on behalf of Asians in the US, but it was accomplished in spite of their opposition. It is proof that actual Chinese in the US don't need these groups' help or cooperation to have their voice heard.

However, Chinese must be vigilant. There are others who are more than happy to give a platform to these people to speak on behalf of Asians/Chinese in the US, as they so easily sacrifice your interests for others. Never let them take your identity away and speak for you. When they try, you must be louder.

There will be times when Chinese-American interests have common ground with other minorities. That is when it makes sense to cooperate. There is no reason to sacrifice your own interests at the whim of those who don't have your issues as a priority in the first place.

Protect your Chinese/Chinese-American identity from those who would pretend to speak on your behalf, stick together in spite of those seeking to divide you and defend your own interests because nobody will do it for you.

The author is a writer from KultureMedia, a media watchdog on behalf of Asian Americans. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn