In light of recent high-profile attacks on our Asian-American/Pacific Islander community members in the United States and Canada, this is a list of actionable steps we can take to support our human family against needless, thoughtless, ridiculous hatred.
Beyond the “model minority” stereotype, Asian-Americans, particularly, have long been subject to institutional and cultural oppression in North America: the abuse of Chinese laborers building the Transcontinental Railroad, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the theft of Hawaii and the Philippines, the forced segregation of Asians–like ALL people of color–into undesirable neighborhoods in American cities, the forced internment of American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II, the recent scapegoating for “stealing” spots at universities, and now this newest iteration of bigotry and violence. Learn the history that has so impacted our present. Connect with our Asian sisters and brothers, beyond what services they may provide you. The work of transformation requires all levels of action, from physical and financial to a simple “thank you” and “good morning.”
Together, we are better, and the sooner ALL of us learn that, the sooner we can get to having lives of abundance, prosperity, and peace as a society, a country, and a planet. Not a second before. 