Opinion: An Innocent Color Choice Brings out Intolerance in The Thai Community
By Leonard Novarro
Source: Times of San Diego
I grew up hearing about the Nazis and how they fueled hatred.
But I never thought I would see the same hatred practiced in this country, in the middle of Los Angeles, by a group of people from a foreign country — against an American.
My wife Rosalynn is of Thai descent, but a citizen of America. Out of respect for the late king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, she and I went to the Wat Thai Temple in Los Angeles on Thursday to pay respects along with Thai people throughout the world as the former ruler of that country, after a year, was finally cremated and laid to rest.
At one point, before the ceremony in LA. as Rosalynn was taking photos of the surroundings, she was accosted by a woman declaring “She is rearing red.” For those who don’t follow the color of politics in that country, red is bad; yellow is good. That’s because the military junta in power the last five years declared it so.
My wife’s name is Rosalynn, the longer version of the word “rose,” which, if you know roses, is predominantly red. Thus, red is a color she favors. However, she was not dressed in red, but in a tasteful black dress. But because the temperature was hot, she chose to cover the dress with a light jacket of red — and yellow — flowers. I might add she had been in the facility for more than an hour and was greeted warmly by several people who know her and who also offered her refreshments.
But suddenly, security forces, along with a mob, began surrounding Rosalynn, screaming at her.
“Look, she has a red bag,” screamed another woman. Indeed, she did have a red bag. In fact, all her purses and personal bags are red — her color.
Then came the accusations: “prostitute” and “whore.” One woman forced herself into Rosalynn’s face. “You are an old woman. Why do you dress like that?” the woman screamed, pointing to Rosalynn’s hat, which is stylish, and I might add, is black.
As I entered the fray, trying to calm the crowd now numbering more than 40 people, all screaming absurdities and accusations in Thai, I thought: “This, indeed, is what Nazi Germany was all about.”
Security with an angry crowd member.
There was no misunderstanding the sheer hatred and vitriol against a woman I have always been proud of, for her accomplishments and also for her love of her native country. We have been back to Thailand several times and have written nothing but positive articles about traveling there. One of those articles and Rosalynn’s photos even earned an award from the prestigious San Diego Press Club — an achievement no Thai newspaper or media ever achieved.
We have even overseen awards to members of the Thai community for their achievement, and Rosalynn has received commendations from the Thai government — something, I am sure, no one in that crowd ever had. Her accomplishments on behalf of the Thai and Asian community over the years has earned recognition from two American presidents, congressional, state and local officials.
“Where are you from?” yelled one accuser. “I am from America,” Rosalynn shot back.
“You are in Thailand,” replied one of the security guards, who obviously needed a lesson in geography.
“This is America,” declared Rosalynn. “You cannot stop me from being here.”
That seemed to infuriate the crowd even more, as it continued to grow. As I stopped security guards who were about to put their hands on her, the chants got louder and louder: “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
“The red shirts sent her,” screamed one of the women, while someone wearing an American flag — in bold RED, white and blue colors — joined the protesters.
“Your dress is inappropriate,” declared another woman who tried to get into Rosalynn’s face. The woman was wearing sneakers.
“Your hat is inappropriate,” replied one of the security guards, while seated nearby was a man in a U.S. Marine hat and woman in a cowboy hat.
As we were escorted from the temple by four security guards, the crowd grew even larger and the chants louder: “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
We did leave, but that did not stop the threats. We have received close to 1,032 threats attacking both of us on Facebook, obviously fueled by detractors, some of whom were not even there. We have been threatened with death, so we have no choice but to report this to police.
Thailand has been called the “Land of Smiles.”
And no one symbolized that more than the late king of Thailand, who was known throughout the world for his compassion and understanding.
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