Author’s Note: Each week, I will select Asian-American news deemed unique from a certain state and summarize the content and its media responses. This week, I focused on news coming from Sylmar, Calif.
News: There are more and more media reports of violence against Asian Americans, but no one, especially those with loved ones, expected this type of violence:
Heunae Chang, a 59-year-old woman from Southern California, died last week after her son, 25-year-old Phillip Chang, set her on fire, reported Robert J. Lopez of the Los Angeles Times.
But this was no random crime. Phillip, according to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, “intentionally set [his mom] on fire.”
Which makes you wonder: was Phillip’s immolation of his mother a premeditated attack, or were there additional, unforeseen factors influencing this fiery assault?
Angry Asian Man offers a social media response: Damn. What the hell is wrong with people?
But what are your thoughts?
And while you contemplate your insights, think of this: would you ever commit a crime towards your family, if you cannot stand one of your family members?