Stop hate directed at Asians in USA: Sai Kung’s Woody, himself abused, campaigns in Man Yee Square

7 April 2021 rmedcalf COMMUNITY 0

^{Woody Laui, 23, campaigning in Sai Kung}

A young man with the looks of a film star has been campaigning in Sai Kung’s Man Yee Square against racism directed at Asians in the USA. Woody Laui, 23, suffered himself from such abuse.

Woody set up a stall outside the SPCA selling his new book, “Six Tales of Wealth”, for $100, twenty per cent of which goes to 14 organisations supporting Asians and Pacific Islanders in America.

^{Woody entertaining his friends, Jennifer and Salve (R)}

A resident of Sai Kung Town, Woody was born in Canada and grew up in Hong Kong and Beijing. He was abused because of his Asian looks during his four years at the University of Massachusetts. “I had a beer can thrown at me and was told to go back to my own country, ” Woody said. “They would try to pick physical fights with me. They’d make inappropriate comments and when I spoke up for myself, they would try to initiate a fight.”

Most common was racially charged comments of various degrees of virulence. “This was happening (on average) about every other day. The university was a liberal place. I can’t imagine what is happening to my counterparts now in less liberal parts of the country.” Donald Trump egged the racists on, Woody believes. “In Trump they had someone who seemed to agree with their ideology.” The virus crisis has made the racism worse and has turned into physical violence on top of the verbal abuse.

^{Woody at his stall, books for sale in front of him, with supporters}

The book Woody is selling is a slim volume of stories following characters in a small frontier town called Grizzly in Montana. The time is 20 years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the vast unexplored country is roamed by criminals and gangs, hindered only by underpaid, local law enforcement. Woody said he has two more books on the way, both thrillers, one futuristic and the other modern day with a magical twist. He is also a tutor of English, French and Mandarin. Woody is often to be seen at the 2084 restaurant, sometimes playing guitar for his friends, Salve and Jennifer.

Twenty dollars from each book sold goes to #STOPASIANHATE through the Gofundme website. If you’re lucky you may catch Woody at his stall near the SPCA or at 2084 or you can email him at woodylaui.writing@gmail.com