As part of our work for health and equity, we are dedicating this page to resources on the fight against racism. Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of color are harmed the most by systemic oppression, and we have a responsibility to be part of the movement for change. We provide this not as a comprehensive guide, but as a starting place on how to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
Learn about Anti-Racism & Anti-Blackness
30+ Ways Asians Perpetuate Anti-Black Racism Everyday by Michelle Kim
An Asian-American Guide to Dismantling Anti-Blackness by Jane Kim
Anti-Racism Resources by Far-Near for Asian Americans
Anti-Racism Resources by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein for White People
BLM Translated by NAPAWF (NYC) (From Arabic to Vietnamese; resources to help you learn/ talk about anti-blackness and racism)
Code Switch (Podcast by NPR)
Educate Yourself by BLM Carrds (Allyship to Systemic Racism--compilation of educational resources)
Karen Discusses Racism (anti-racism resources, mostly text, bootcamps on the bottom)
List of Educators Online by Jenna Arnold (FB, Tw, IG)
Resource Center for Confronting Racial Injustice (trainings and mixed media education)
Uncivil (Podcast by Gimlet on American Civil War--untold stories, some of which are on racism)
Letters for Black Lives (multilingual resources to begin talking to family about anti-blackness and racism | 2020 version coming out soon)
Text
Audio (Includes American Sign Language)
An Asian-American Guide to Dismantling Anti-Blackness by Jane Kim
Anti-Racism Resources by Far-Near for Asian Americans
Anti-Racism Resources by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein for White People
BLM Translated by NAPAWF (NYC) (From Arabic to Vietnamese; resources to help you learn/ talk about anti-blackness and racism)
Code Switch (Podcast by NPR)
Educate Yourself by BLM Carrds (Allyship to Systemic Racism--compilation of educational resources)
Karen Discusses Racism (anti-racism resources, mostly text, bootcamps on the bottom)
List of Educators Online by Jenna Arnold (FB, Tw, IG)
Resource Center for Confronting Racial Injustice (trainings and mixed media education)
Uncivil (Podcast by Gimlet on American Civil War--untold stories, some of which are on racism)
Letters for Black Lives (multilingual resources to begin talking to family about anti-blackness and racism | 2020 version coming out soon)
Text
Audio (Includes American Sign Language)
Toolkits
Combat Hate Crime Toolkit
#StopAsianHate Toolkit
Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
Anti-Oppression Resource+ Training Alliance
Social Justice Toolbox: What is Racism?
Take Actions for Black Lives
Letters for Black Lives
Translations (American Version)
Translations (Canadian Version)
Follow Up Conversation Guide
How to Report a Hate Crime
Preventing and Responding to Bias and Hate Incidents Against AANHPI Communities
#StopAsianHate Toolkit
Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
Anti-Oppression Resource+ Training Alliance
Social Justice Toolbox: What is Racism?
Take Actions for Black Lives
Letters for Black Lives
Translations (American Version)
Translations (Canadian Version)
Follow Up Conversation Guide
How to Report a Hate Crime
Preventing and Responding to Bias and Hate Incidents Against AANHPI Communities
Donations and Petitions
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Ahmaud Arbery (killed by police)
Donation Petition Breonna Taylor (killed by police) Donation Petition Brandon Saenz (heavily injured by police) Donation (for medical fees; shot by rubber bullet while getting takeout--not a protester) David McAtee Donation Petition Emerald Black (miscarried because of police) Petition George Floyd (killed by police) Donation Petition Tamir Rice (killed by police) Donation to Tamir Rice Foundation Petition Tony McDade (killed by police) Donation Petition Tye Anders (unlawful conviction due to racial profiling) Donation Petition Vanessa Guillen (missing after reporting sexual assault) Petition |
Policy Change and Accountability Petitions
Hands Up Act
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Frequently Asked Questions
Being Asian American is a political act in itself, starting in the ethnic studies movement of the 1960s. Prior to that we were identified as members of our individual ethnic groups and as the cringe-inducing label “Orientals.” The Asian American term was designed to unite us into a cohesive movement where we could be in solidarity with each other. Now, it’s time for us to uplift that unity in support of our Black, Latinx, Indigenous folx, and ourselves.
Yes, I want to be part of the solution! What can I do?
We recognize that being an ally means doing this work over the long term. This means that we do not stop once the rallies are over, when the fundraising sites have closed, or after we’ve posted our support on social media. We need to be part of the cultural shift to eradicate anti-Blackness in our communities. Asians everywhere are using this moment to talk with their families about race, and while these conversations can be difficult, they may also surprise you.
How do we begin these conversations? What do we say when we get pushback? Here are some ideas to get started.
What to say when they say: Asians are discriminated against too! (aka being oppressed lets me off the hook)
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide at the end of 2019 and the beginning of this year, rates of hate crimes against Asians began rising. According to the Stop AAPI Hate Report Center, more than 1,700 incidents involving blame and racism towards Asian Americans have been recorded in the six weeks following March 19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many Asian Americans have suffered racist attacks, and women are three times more likely to be the victim of an attack. Similar spikes occurred against South Asians post-9/11 and Japanese Americans during World War II, among many other instances.
So yes, Asians are oppressed too. However, Black folks in this country have endured a surge in racist violence that began more than 400 years ago and has never dropped down. If you are Black in this country, you can be killed while shopping, jogging, sleeping - and pretty much doing anything else, just because of the color of your skin. On top of that, systemic racism in this country also means that Black and brown communities have the highest environmental burdens like air pollution from incinerators and refineries, and a lack of green space and healthy food. These conditions contribute to chronic illness and the extraordinarily high rates of COVID-19 deaths among Black patients.
The pandemic has reminded us that we are all in this together. We are only as healthy as the least healthy among us. As Asians, we need to step up as a community and stand in solidarity with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous peoples.
What to say when they say: What did Black people ever do for us? (aka anti-Black sentiment is ok)
Actually, fun fact: Asians are beneficiaries of the civil rights movement. Did you know Asians are more likely to marry outside of our race than other groups? This was not possible until the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case that legalized interracial marriage. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, resulting from efforts to end racial discrimination, allowed many more Asians into the U.S. after decades of racially-exclusive immigration laws. Now, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing major racial group in the U.S. as well as the fastest-growing electoral group. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave rise to bilingual ballots and the right for people who have difficulty with English - which is almost one-third of Asian Americans - to receive assistance while voting.
What do I do when I can’t speak the language?
A common barrier for younger generations is the language divide. Some of us may not be fluent in our ethnic languages and some of our family members may not be fluent in English. But don’t give up if you get stuck trying to figure out how to explain systemic racism! The Letters for Black Lives project has translated materials into more than 30 languages, with audio recordings in the works as well. For more resources, check out our Anti-Racism Resources.
Are there more ways I can provide examples that resonate with my family?
Try drawing connections between different struggles. If it is wrong for governments to mow down their citizens with tanks, it’s wrong for police in the U.S. to murder Black people with impunity. If it’s unconscionable for leaders of a country to force a class of people into reeducation camps, then it’s unconscionable that the U.S. prison system predominantly incarcerates poor Black and brown folks. If forcing people to work in sweatshop conditions in locked and dangerous factories is immoral, then U.S. prison labor with pennies for wages is also immoral. You get the idea.
Appeal to cultural values
...Making a better life in this country means working for equality
...Doing this work is an honor/tribute to our ancestors
We are taught right from wrong as children and a large part of Asian culture is pride and honor. Bringing honor to our family and ancestors means that we stand up for what is right, just, and fair.
Black people being beaten and murdered for being black is not okay--standing to the side while this is happening is not okay (Tou Thao), shooting unarmed people is not okay (Peter Liang). There is nothing right, just, or fair about racism and sanctioned murder and neither silence nor active participation in racist acts brings pride or honor to anyone.
If we are not actively part of the solution, we are part of the problem. It is time to step up and take hold of the future we want for ourselves, our friends, and our family because when racial injustice targets one of us, it targets all of us.
Have more questions? Have some tips? Let us know and we will continue updating and adding to this page. Our deepest gratitude to you all!
Yes, I want to be part of the solution! What can I do?
We recognize that being an ally means doing this work over the long term. This means that we do not stop once the rallies are over, when the fundraising sites have closed, or after we’ve posted our support on social media. We need to be part of the cultural shift to eradicate anti-Blackness in our communities. Asians everywhere are using this moment to talk with their families about race, and while these conversations can be difficult, they may also surprise you.
How do we begin these conversations? What do we say when we get pushback? Here are some ideas to get started.
What to say when they say: Asians are discriminated against too! (aka being oppressed lets me off the hook)
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide at the end of 2019 and the beginning of this year, rates of hate crimes against Asians began rising. According to the Stop AAPI Hate Report Center, more than 1,700 incidents involving blame and racism towards Asian Americans have been recorded in the six weeks following March 19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many Asian Americans have suffered racist attacks, and women are three times more likely to be the victim of an attack. Similar spikes occurred against South Asians post-9/11 and Japanese Americans during World War II, among many other instances.
So yes, Asians are oppressed too. However, Black folks in this country have endured a surge in racist violence that began more than 400 years ago and has never dropped down. If you are Black in this country, you can be killed while shopping, jogging, sleeping - and pretty much doing anything else, just because of the color of your skin. On top of that, systemic racism in this country also means that Black and brown communities have the highest environmental burdens like air pollution from incinerators and refineries, and a lack of green space and healthy food. These conditions contribute to chronic illness and the extraordinarily high rates of COVID-19 deaths among Black patients.
The pandemic has reminded us that we are all in this together. We are only as healthy as the least healthy among us. As Asians, we need to step up as a community and stand in solidarity with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous peoples.
What to say when they say: What did Black people ever do for us? (aka anti-Black sentiment is ok)
Actually, fun fact: Asians are beneficiaries of the civil rights movement. Did you know Asians are more likely to marry outside of our race than other groups? This was not possible until the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case that legalized interracial marriage. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, resulting from efforts to end racial discrimination, allowed many more Asians into the U.S. after decades of racially-exclusive immigration laws. Now, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing major racial group in the U.S. as well as the fastest-growing electoral group. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave rise to bilingual ballots and the right for people who have difficulty with English - which is almost one-third of Asian Americans - to receive assistance while voting.
What do I do when I can’t speak the language?
A common barrier for younger generations is the language divide. Some of us may not be fluent in our ethnic languages and some of our family members may not be fluent in English. But don’t give up if you get stuck trying to figure out how to explain systemic racism! The Letters for Black Lives project has translated materials into more than 30 languages, with audio recordings in the works as well. For more resources, check out our Anti-Racism Resources.
Are there more ways I can provide examples that resonate with my family?
Try drawing connections between different struggles. If it is wrong for governments to mow down their citizens with tanks, it’s wrong for police in the U.S. to murder Black people with impunity. If it’s unconscionable for leaders of a country to force a class of people into reeducation camps, then it’s unconscionable that the U.S. prison system predominantly incarcerates poor Black and brown folks. If forcing people to work in sweatshop conditions in locked and dangerous factories is immoral, then U.S. prison labor with pennies for wages is also immoral. You get the idea.
Appeal to cultural values
...Making a better life in this country means working for equality
...Doing this work is an honor/tribute to our ancestors
We are taught right from wrong as children and a large part of Asian culture is pride and honor. Bringing honor to our family and ancestors means that we stand up for what is right, just, and fair.
Black people being beaten and murdered for being black is not okay--standing to the side while this is happening is not okay (Tou Thao), shooting unarmed people is not okay (Peter Liang). There is nothing right, just, or fair about racism and sanctioned murder and neither silence nor active participation in racist acts brings pride or honor to anyone.
If we are not actively part of the solution, we are part of the problem. It is time to step up and take hold of the future we want for ourselves, our friends, and our family because when racial injustice targets one of us, it targets all of us.
Have more questions? Have some tips? Let us know and we will continue updating and adding to this page. Our deepest gratitude to you all!
Report a hate incident to Stop AAPI Hate
Take the Implicit Bias Test from Harvard to see where your biases lie.
- The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate coalition on March 19, 2020. The coalition tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Take the Implicit Bias Test from Harvard to see where your biases lie.
Racism is a virus psa
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