How to Support the AAPI Community
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an exponential rise in racism, violence and targeted hate towards Asian-Americans. This was further brought to light this past week, when seven women were killed; six of them Asian, in an anti-Asian, anti-women hate crime. It’s important that we address these ongoing tragedies and harm inflicted on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, so that we can further raise awareness, educate ourselves, provide support, and actively commit to being anti-racist.
Anti-Asian Racism and COVID-19
The activism platform, The Slacktivists, explains in a recent post how Anti-Asian racism is not new in America. The AAPI community has been targeted by discriminatory policies throughout history. This racism has taken on a new form since the beginning of COVID-19, when blame towards China has intensified hate crimes against Asian Americans. From March 2020 to February 2021, over 3,795 hate crimes have been committed against the AAPI community.
How to Be an Ally For the AAPI Community
Let’s advocate for justice and against racism. Here are just a few of many ways that you can combat anti-Asian racism and support the AAPI community:
- Check in on your AAPI loved ones and friends
- Follow and listen to AAPI activists online
- Contact your representatives and pressure them to support legislation that addresses these issues
- Donate to AAPI organizations and nonprofits
- Support local Asian-owned businesses
Mental Health Resources
Here are some helpful mental health resources for the AAPI community:
- Check out Asian Mental Health Collective
- Access the Racial Trauma Toolkit by Boston College
- Crisis Line for Asian Languages: 1-877-990-8585
There are many great resources out there to further educate ourselves and support the AAPI community. We also know that creating a more socially just society requires each of us to examine our own beliefs. We must listen and learn from other people’s experiences that are different from our own. As we do these things, we can fight discrimination, support social justice, and create a better world starting with our own community.
