How to Support the Asian and Pacific Islander Community
Our nation and the world are built on deep-rooted racist, ableist, homophobic, xenophobic, sexist systems that have been created to oppress, silence, and kill communities. While racism and discrimination against the Asian and Pacific Islander communities are not new, the pandemic has exacerbated the injustices this community is forced to confront. Over the past year, racist rhetoric and prejudice against the Asian and Pacific Islander Community have skyrocketed, resulting in an increase in attacks against them — many of whom are abused, assaulted, and killed.
The Asian and Pacific Islander community is our community and it is our responsibility to listen and take collective action to end these injustices and racist attacks.
The Seattle Hub of Global Shapers expresses solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander Community and unequivocally believes that the defense of Asian and Pacific Islanders’ lives is central to our efforts to create a more equitable and just world.
Today, and moving forward, we must unite to amplify the voices of the Asian and Pacific Islander community and drive tangible, systemic changes in our society. For those who will join the efforts, here are a few ideas that may help.
DONATE
- Support the organizations working to preserve and promote your local Chinatown. In Seattle, Friends of Little Saigon, Chinatown-ID Business Improvement Area, and Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) are a few examples.
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) in Seattle
- 45 mostly national organizations supporting Asian communities
LEARN
Read books recommended by #HateIsAVirus
- Minor Feelings — Cathy Park Hong
- America is in the Heart — Carlos Bulosan
- No-No Boy — John Okada
- Freedom Dreams — Robin D.G Kelley
- Asian Settler Colonialism — Candace Fujikane
- The Making of Asian America — Erika Lee
Listen to podcasts
- TIFFANY & YU: Allyship, Solidarity & Fighting Anti-Asian Racism ft. Sam Hyun, MA Asian-American Commission
- TIFFANY & YU: #HATEISAVIRUS & Racism Against Asians Fueled by COVID-19 ft. Bryan Pham (Asian Hustle)
Watch ‘Asian Americans’ on PBS
Learn how to intervene when you see harassment through Hollaback
Reference Racism is a Virus Toolkit for more strategies on how to stand against bullying, racism, and xenophobia in the face of COVID-19
SUPPORT API-Owned Businesses in Seattle
- #SpendLikeItMatters and support Asian-owned businesses in your community
- Order from a restaurant in the Chinatown/International District
- Purchase this shirt from Haerfest. 100% of proceeds from the first production run of the T-shirt go to Stop AAPI Hate — A national coalition addressing anti-Asian hate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
ENGAGE
- Get Trained with iHollaBack
- Report AAPI Hate Crimes at https://stopaapihate.org/ or @stopaapihate
- Volunteer with ACRS and SCIDpda
- Check out a film from the Seattle Asian American Film Festival
AMPLIFY trusted voices in this space
Activists
National Orgs
Contact your Employer/Representative/Community
“Reach out to your local elected officials and ask them to use their platforms to speak out against hate and affirm that your community will not condone hate” — Tiffany Chang AAJC
- “Hi [Representative], I am calling you to request that you speak up and stand in solidarity and protect the safety of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. As you’re aware, there has been a sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans this year. I request you to act and support any efforts in combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asain Americans and Pacific Islanders.”
and SHARE
Our hearts, both full and broken, are with the Asian and Pacific Islanders community, here in Seattle and everywhere else. We invite you to join us in denouncing racism and showing our support for the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
