5 Things Friday
REP CO stands in solidarity with the Asian American community, and asks each of you to speak out and act to combat the rise in racial violence. Here are your antiracism action steps for March 19.
Art by Lauren YS
You know those courtroom dramas on TV where, towards the end of a drawn-out trial the lawyer shows up with some new bombshell evidence, which leads to even more convincing evidence, until...duh, it's finally clear to everyone in the courtroom that the guy did it? Like eventually even the defendant, who's been pretty cunning up until this moment, is like "ok, ok, you got me. Well played."
That's what reading the news feels like ever since this summer, when the term "white supremacy" started showing up in everyday conversations about why and how we got here. Lots of people were skeptical—they weren't convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that our country was built on toxic whiteness that thrives by exploiting and oppressing everyone else and pitting them against each other. But every day since, the bombshell evidence keeps dropping. Is it clear yet? Case closed, right?
This week brought the mass shooting of six Asian women in Atlanta—an absolutely horrendous and heartbreaking crime. But then to watch media outlets repeat the phrase—straight from the mouths of police—that "officials cannot yet confirm if the attack, in which six Asian women were killed, was racially motivated" followed by a laundry list of other reasons why he did what he did, ranging from sex addiction (not even a real thing) to "a bad day"...it was disgusting. And completely on script.
White supremacy is up against the ropes, which means things are going to get worse before they get better. While the Atlanta shooting dominated the news, a string of attacks against Asian residents in the Bay Area has our local communities on edge. Stop AAPI Hate, a reporting center born of San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department, tracked more than 3,700 self-reported hate instances across the U.S. over the past year.
There is no question we have to act. REP CO stands in solidarity with the Asian American community, and asks each of you to speak out and act swiftly to combat this rise in racial violence, and to continue to deepen your commitment to the work of dismantling white supremacy in all it's insidious and violent forms. Because the evidence is in, and it's irrefutable.
Here are your 5 Things.
VOLUNTEER FOR THS. The danger in the Bay Area is real. Volunteer with SF Peace Collective to be a chaperone and help protect the vulnerable community members of SF Chinatown. If you're in the East Bay, Compassion in Oakland runs a similar program, pairing folks with seniors and other residents in the Oakland Chinatown community.
FOLLOW THESE. How much do you know about the Asian American experience? While we are loath to give too many props to social media, sometimes simply giving new people a follow can help broaden your perspective. Follow these accounts to learn more: @nextshark @asians4antiracism @dearasianyouth @teachandtransform @michellekimkim @beyonkz @asiansformentalhealth @aapiwomenlead @18millionrising @seewun.
GO TO THIS. This weekend and coming week there are vigils and solidarity marches in cities and towns around the Bay Area. From a candlelight vigil in Oakland for Mr. Pak Ho, the 75-year-old Asian man who was killed during an assault and robbery earlier this week to a rally in Brisbane to stand with The AAPI Community, to the Rise Up With Asians Rally at St Mary’s Square in San Francisco. Show up and show your support.
READ THIS. There are countless essays and articles by Asian American writers, thinkers, and activists that offer insight into how and why we got here, and what we can all do to aid, advocate and support the communities that are suffering. Michelle Kim digs deep into history, culture, and colonialism—and what happened when her own mother was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. Biana Mabute-Louie writes about why for Asian Americans, sharing grief publically is an act of revolution. Time magazine and reporter Cady Lang just released a special double issue entitled We Are Not Silent: Confronting America's Legacy of Anti-Asian Violence. Read Cady's feature story about how naming anti-Asian racism in the U.S. means confronting centuries of discrimination, violence and oppression, and then recognizing how it manifests in the present day. And for a reminder thatthis recent wave of hateful attacks is a direct result of the hate we voted into the White House, listen to Representative Grace Meng's powerful response to Republican lawmakers' arguments that the focus on hate crimes could "hamper free speech. "Our community is bleeding. We are in pain. And for the last year, we've been screaming out for help."
DONATE TO THIS. Open your wallets and support the orgs that have been doing the work long before the headlines hit. Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is the first and only nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) in Georgia and the Southeast. We also suggest donating to: @redcanarysong @napawf_atl @monsoon_iowa@napiesv @iamwomankind.