Here's How to Help the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Right Now

From Men's Health

A series of shootings in the Atlanta area on Tuesday has left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent. Police have arrested a 21-year-old white man in connection with the shooting, according to the Associated Press, but details are scarce.

Police haven’t speculated on a motive, but many believe it was a hate crime. Racist attacks on Asian Americans have been on the rise recently. Data from the New York Police Department shows there was a 1,900% (not a typo) increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City from 2019 to 2020. There were 20 attacks reported in the first half of 2020, and only one incident in all of 2019.

Nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country, released a statement after the shootings, calling them an "unspeakable tragedy—for the families of the victims first and foremost, but also for the Asian American community, which has been reeling from high levels of racist attacks over the course of the past year."

The organization continued, "This latest attack will only exacerbate the fear and pain that the Asian American community continues to endure."

Lisa Lowe, a professor of American studies, ethnicity, race, and migration at Yale University, recently shared a Twitter thread, breaking down charities and grassroots organizations people can donate to in order to help support Asian-American and Pacific Islander women.

Many people are now using social media to help speak out in support of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.

It’s easy to feel helpless when a tragedy like this happens. But, if you’re financially able, donating to support the AAPI community can help. Here are some non-profit charities and local grassroots organizations that Lowe and others have highlighted:

1. National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

The organization focuses on building a movement for social, political, and structural change for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls.

2. Red Canary Song

Red Canary Song is a grassroots collective that supports Asian and migrant sex workers across the country, including offering legal help.

3. Caav

This pan-Asian community-based organization works to support low-income Asian immigrants and refugees in New York City. It also pushes for broader racial and economic justice for these communities.

4. Butterfly

Formed by sex workers, social workers, and legal and health professionals, this organization strives to provide support and education to Asian and migrant sex workers and decrease the risk of violence they face each day.

5. Swan Vancouver

The Canadian non-profit helps support Asian women who are engaged in sex work.

6. Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA)

KIWA provides information on labor laws and assists Korean immigrant workers who have experienced wage theft to advocate for themselves.

7. Chinese Progressive Association

This grassroots organization educates, organizes, and empowers the low-income and working class immigrant Chinese community in San Francisco. They aim to build collective power with other oppressed communities and demand better living and working conditions for all.

Charity Navigator Finance & Accountability Score: 100 out of 100

8. Asian Immigrant Women Advocates

AIWA works with immigrant workers in the San Francisco Bay Area’s garment, home care, hotel, restaurant, assembly and other low-wage industries, as well as low-income immigrant youth in Oakland. It seeks to empower women and young people through education, collective action, and leadership development.

Charity Navigator Finance & Accountability Score: 100 out of 100

9. Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC Inc.)

Founded in 1991, this national nonprofit works to protect civil and human rights for Asian Americans by promoting justice for all Americans, empowering AAPI communities, bringing local and national constituencies together, and ensuring Asian Americans are able to fully participate in democracy.

Overall Charity Navigator Score: 92.45 out of 100

10. Asian American Journalists Association

AAJA is a membership nonprofit advancing diversity in newsrooms with members in the United States and Asia, and working to ensure fair and accurate coverage of communities of color.

Overall Charity Navigator Score: 80.11 out of 100

11. Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)

Since its founding in 1993, APEN has been empowering low-income Asian Pacific Islander communities to achieve environmental and social justice.

Overall Charity Navigator Score: 91.75 out of 100

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