How to be an ally to the Asian-American community in light of recent tragedy.
On March 16, 2021 eight people, six of whom were Asian-American women were killed in Atlanta, Georgia in a series of hate crimes.
As an Asian American, I am angered. But not surprised. The Asian American community has experienced the exponential increase of hate crimes ever since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Research from the forum Stop AAPI Hate "revealed nearly 3,800 incidents (which can include shunning, slurs and physical attacks) were reported over the course of roughly a year during the pandemic. It’s a significantly higher number than last year's count of about 2,600 hate incidents nationwide over the span of five months."
Everything from former President Donald Trump's racist rhetoric deeming the coronavirus as the "China virus" to anti-Asian hate attacks in grocery stores, streets, and neighborhoods, Asian Americans have consistently suffered this full year.
So why is it only now that people are beginning to speak up?
“nearly 3,800 incidents were reported over the course of roughly a year during the pandemic [...] a significantly higher number than last year's count of about 2,600 hate incidents "
Unfortunately, we've seen this trend repeat itself consistently throughout history: it's only until blood is spilt and a massive event occurs that people begin to take notice of the consistent harsh inequities of this world.
What infuriates me the most is how increasingly normalized Asian hate has become. Many people group Asians all into the same category, assuming every one of their stories are the same. For instance, the myth that all Asians are high-earners when in reality "Southeast Asians face some of the highest poverty rates in the United States" (39.4% of Burmese Americans live below the poverty level from @aaashleyk) only allows more people to invalidate Asian struggles.
In fact, Asian-American struggles have become so normalized that several influencers/creators have stayed completely silent in addressing the situation and spreading awareness. The same people who frequently enjoy parts of Asian culture (drinking matcha/boba, going to cute Asian supermarkets, ordering Panda Express, listening to k-pop, adopting Hello Kitty aesthetics, eating sushi) suddenly have nothing to say when supporting the people behind the culture.
And frankly, it's exhausting. It's exhausting to open social media apps and see post after post about bullying, hit-and-runs, shootings, and more all associated with one thing: race.
"support the people behind the culture."
So to my fellow BIPOC, I know how exhausting the past year (and honestly, our whole life) has been to have to constantly be worried about receiving hate based off your skin tone and I genuinely encourage you to take a break if you feel overwhelmed. And to non-BIPOC, please be an ally to all minority groups, whether they're Asian-American, African-American, American Indian/Native, Pacific Islanders, Latino, or Hispanic and recognize that each minority group experiences racism in different ways.
How to support the AAPI community
Support local Asian-American businesses.
Being an ally of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community does not necessarily have to require huge financial donations. A simple way to contribute is to support Asian businesses, like local restaurants. The combination of the pandemic and its resulting xenophobic mindsets has severely impacted Asian businesses in particular and even purchasing a small takeout meal could make a difference.
Speak up against Asian hate crimes/traumas.
In part due to the model minority myth which stereotypes Asians as a whole and dismisses their traumas, it's often difficult for AAPI to speak up about the issues they're facing. I know personally when I was younger or even during this pandemic, my parents advised me to keep silent about my challenges ----- not because they wanted to dismiss my struggles but they feared that me speaking up would only land me in greater harm. So, when one of my classmates taunted me about my Asian features at school, I kept my head down, believing it was better to ignore it than to confront them.
If you're a non-Asian, I cannot urge this enough: speak up for your fellow Asians. Call people out for racist remarks, report hateful incidents, and be open to confronting the trauma of anti-Asian sentiment. For us, it's often daunting and nerve-wracking to do but I promise your Asian friends will appreciate you so much for it.
Donate to AAPI-supporting organizations.
Below are some organizations I've linked that I strongly encourage you to check out.
"Your support of Stop AAPI Hate enable us to track and respond to the surge in racism and xenophobia. Our communities stand united against racism. Hate against Asian American Pacific Islander communities has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we can stop it."
"Their mission is to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community."
"Heart of Dinner combats food insecurity and isolation within NYC's elderly Asian American community. We deliver love and care by way of weekly hot lunches, fresh produce, and bulk ingredients, all while supporting local small businesses. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax deductible."
"This organization's mission is to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans, to build a more fair and equitable society, through education, litigation and public policy advocacy."
"#EnoughIsEnough is a grassroots initiative by Asian American business owners in New York City who came together to take action on the recent surge in nationwide hate crimes against the Asian American community. Frustrated by the lack of media coverage on the recent violence, we are rallying all the industry homies to encourage people both in and out of the Asian community to realize the power of their voice.
We’re doing this by:
Donating free meals to those in need, including Asian elders, underserved Black & Latino homeless shelters and those struggling with food insecurity during the pandemic
Creating virtual cooking classes and virtual community tours
Hosting critical conversations on Instagram to raise awareness and educate"
"This grassroots organization launched in April 2020 as a response to the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans due to the pandemic. It raises money to help a number of community organizations nationwide and runs virtual education events."
"Asian/American feminism is an ever-evolving practice that seeks to address the multi-dimensional ways Asian/American people confront systems of power at the intersections of race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, disability, migration history, citizenship and immigration status. We are indebted to ways Black feminist thought and Third World feminist movements enable us to think and act critically through our own positionalities to address systems of anti-Black racism, settler colonialism, and xenophobia."
"#ImReady raises visbility around Asian American and Pacific Islander women and our experiences with #MeToo (sexual harassment, gender discrimination) and racial discrimination (glass ceiling, invisibility). It also celebrates the leadership and resiliency of AAPI women in Education, Business, Technology, and Politics. At the conference, we will bring together AAPI women leaders and our supporters to learn from each other and to increase the recognition and leadership of AAPI women and girls. "
"an organization supporting the AAPI queer and trans community in the Bay Area. Since 2004, APIENC has built transgender, non-binary, and queer Asian and Pacific Islander power. With financial support from community members like you, we can continue to grow strong interdependent relationships, equalize power through popular education, and provide space to explore our identities and histories."
"This organization provides legal services for cases that have major impacts on the Asian American community and for community-based organizations; conducts free multilingual legal advice clinics for low-income people and new immigrants; and trains students in public interest law."
Donate to the families of the Atlanta Shooting.
Educate Yourself
Below I have provided some helpful infographics that condense important information. Although these infographics do contain useful advice, they can be vague so they shouldn't be the only way you educate yourself on these issues. I encourage you to do extra research and really understand how to support the AAPI community.
Thank you for taking the time to read down here. Stopping Asian hate is not a simple nor short task, but it can eventually be achieved through collective effort.
Essentially,
Olivia.