How You Can Support the AAPI Community Amid the Rise of Hate Crimes
On Tuesday night, eight people were shot dead at three different massage parlors near Atlanta, Georgia. Six of the eight victims were Asian, making the shooting the latest in a string of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country. Anti-Asian attacks have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic, with over 3,000 attacks reported just last year. Now, more than ever, it is important to support the AAPI community and join the fight to end the rampant racism in this country. The time for staying silent is long gone and we must now take action. If you're unsure of where to start, we've put together a guide on how to help the AAPI community during this time.
Educate yourself.
Asian American history is still not taught in most schools across the country. Take some time to learn about the AAPI experience through articles, books, and movies. Here are some to check out:
Asian Americans on PBS: A five-hour docuseries showcasing "the history of identity, contributions, and challenges experiences by Asian Americans" told through personal stories of those who lived through it.
We Are Not a Stereotype: Breaking Down Asian American Bias: A video series by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center that breaks down what it means to be an Asian Pacific American.
Who Killed Vincent Chin?: An Oscar-nominated documentary about the murder of a Chinese-American engineer in Detroit in 1982.
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong: This book, published last year, features numerous essays about the Asian-American experience.
Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White by Frank H. Wu: A mix of personal anecdotes, legal cases, and journalism, this book explores the Asian-American stereotype of the "model minority" and provides a new look at race in America.
Self Evident: Asian American Stories: If you're more into podcasts, check out this one, which tells stories of Asian Americans around the country, including those who are supporting their communities and fighting racism during the pandemic.
There are also bystander intervention programs, which help allies learn about how to respond to racist attacks. Below are two of many online training programs that can help you to become a better AAPI ally.
Hollaback!, an anti-harassment non-profit partnered with Asian Americans Advancing Justice to offer free bystander intervention training. The next training is being offered on March 29th and you can register online.
The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance Project has an online guide on how to speak up and respond to Asian-based bias.
Donate.
There are so many non-profits around the country working with the AAPI community to support victims of attacks, prevent others from occurring, and change bias legislation in the country, among other things. Take the time to research ones that you want to support in order to help them continue fulfilling their missions. Here are some great organizations to start with:
Stop AAPI Hate: An organization working to gather reports of AAPI-based hate crimes and offer resources and assistance to communities in need.
Oakland Chinatown Victims Fund: Asian Heath Services put together a fund to help those who have been impacted by crime and assaults in the community of Oakland where many of the attacks have been based.
AAPI Community Fund: This donation portal collects donations and redistributes them into grants for various organizations working with the AAPI community.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice: A non-profit legal agency fighting to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans.
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: Promotes the mental health and well-being of the AAPI community.
Apex for Youth: An NYC-based organization that mentor and support Asian youth.
Support local businesses.
A lot of small AAPI-owned businesses have been greatly affected by the pandemic, reporting losses of 60% to 80%. Support those in your community with your patronage to help keep them afloat. You can also donate to Send Chinatown Love, an online platform designed to help support low-tech, cash-only, Asian-owned businesses in New York's Chinatown impacted by the pandemic. They allow you to donate, gift-a-meal from a business to a person in need, or purchase a lantern that will be permanently installed in Chinatown to bring business back to the neighborhood.
Volunteer.
Many elderly members of the AAPI community are afraid to go out alone amid the recent attacks. Volunteer as a chaperone to escort those fearful of hate crimes to wherever they need to go. Compassion in Oakland is organizing volunteers in the Oakland area, but there are sure to be similar groups throughout the country. If there isn't one in your community, organizing one could be a great way to help those in need.
Report incidents of hate.
If you seen an incident of Anti-Asian hate or bias occur, report it.
Speak up.
The more we talk about what's going on, the more we can educate others and influence the community to make changes.
This is only the beginning. Now is not the time to be silent, but the time to demand justice. This is an everyday issue and it needs to be an everyday fight—continue to educate yourself and stand up against AAPI hate.
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