This is a guest opinion

In the month of May, which is recognized as the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, various educational programs are being held in Alabama public libraries to celebrate the rich contributions of the AAPI community.

Regrettably, at the onset of this May, the House of Representatives in the State of Alabama approved HB-379, also known as the Alabama Property Protection Act. This legislation specifically aims to prohibit Chinese citizens, Chinese companies, and the Chinese government from acquiring property. Such a measure flagrantly infringes upon the civil rights of Chinese individuals residing in the state and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the principles upheld by the Fair Housing Act.

Recently, I had a conversation with my daughter about this act, and to her complete surprise, she had no prior knowledge of it. She was left utterly shocked and bewildered, her eyes widened in disbelief. It was disheartening for her, as she had recently learned about historical instances of anti-Chinese legislation in school, prompting her to question if history is tragically repeating itself.

This bill unabashedly targets a specific racial group, thereby impeding their participation in various facets of society. If passed through the Senate, it would be a regressive step, reminiscent of the dark era of the 1940s when Asian Americans were unjustly interned based solely on their race. It is imperative to recognize that this thinly veiled legislation represents racial discrimination that has no place in the United States.

It is crucial to halt the ratification of this bill before law-abiding citizens are unjustly deprived of their ability to purchase homes or engage in economic activities. HB379, introduced by Representative Scott Stadthagen, seeks to prohibit Chinese citizens from owning property in Alabama. While one may assume that such xenophobic legislation belongs to a bygone era, it is essential to acknowledge that Alien Land Acts have persisted until modern times.

In 2018, the residents of Florida finally succeeded in approving a ballot measure to remove provisions of the alien land law from their state’s constitution. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a distressing nationwide trend seeking to reinstate these discriminatory laws, with Florida leading the way. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, on Monday, May 8th, signed a series of bills that prohibit Chinese citizens from purchasing land within the state, while Texas contemplates similar legislation.

During this AAPI Heritage Month, a time when nature’s splendor unfolds in the blossoming month of May, it is essential to celebrate the remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions of the AAPI community. We must resist the regression into xenophobic laws that mirror a bygone century. Our unwavering belief rests upon the establishment of a just and inclusive society that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their ethnicity. It is incumbent upon us to reject the existence of discriminatory legislation, as none of us would desire to witness the marginalization of foreign American nationals in their respective countries or the unjust exclusion of American corporations from foreign market investments.

Dr. Ken Yang, who holds an MD and PhD, lives in Birmingham where he has been a research scientist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham the past 19 years.