Ways To Support the AAPI Community: A Living List

The recent attacks on Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are, sadly, nothing new. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, violence and hateful rhetoric against AAPI groups have spiked, spurred, in large part, by the targeted racist speech by former President Trump. Crimes fueled by Anti-Asian rhetoric have risen by 1,900% in New York alone within the last year. With a string of violent attacks in California, including the death of 84-year-old Thai American Vicha Ratanapakadee and the robbing of a 64-year-old Vietnamese-American woman, as well as the knifing of 61-year-old Filliapano-American Noel Quintana in a New York City subway, among others, members of AAPI communities are fearing for their safety. Local Chinatown businesses in the Bay area have condensed their hours during the normally busy Lunar New Year holiday. Parents have been discouraged from sending their children back to school. Steps have been made toward ending the violence. President Biden recently signed a memorandum condemning the surge of racism and violence against the AAPI community. Hundreds of people attended a recent protest in New York’s Foley Square, with countless others occurring around the country. Organizers created Compassion in Oakland, a volunteer and community built task-force to help protect AAPI elderly on trips around town. However, there are many ways to show support remotely. This is a living list; if you have any resources to add, please feel free to reach out to us. DONATIONS Donations to organizations and initiatives supporting AAPI justice, as well as their representation in other areas, are the most direct ways to support. Stop AAPI Hate is a direct line for reporting racist/hate against Asian-American and Pacific Islanders. Data is used to fund resources and develop policy. The Asian American Legal Defense Fund is the first AAPI legal rights foundation on the East Coast and regularly accepts donations. Its mission believes that law is the best method of social justice. Asian Americans Advancing Justice uses education and reform to bring Asian-American issues to light. They also have an anti-hate organization where people can share their stories and find community. AAPI Women Lead highlights and encourages Asian women and girls in political and social platforms. According to their website, “the #ImReady Movement raises visibility around self-identified AAPI women and our experiences with #MeToo, racial discrimination, war, immigration, and more.” AAPI Progressive Action works to increase AAPI representation in politics through policy awareness and candidate advocacy. Donations are accepted regularly. Chinese for Affirmative Action works on both federal and local levels to protect AAPI communities. The organization conducts direct services, leadership development and civic engagement programs, according to their website, and hopes to foster networks and skills for permanent movements. Asian Women in Business is a NYC-based business that supports Asian women in business and other entrepreneurial endeavors. A GoFundMe to help raise funds and support Vicha Ratanapakadee’s family is available. According to Ratanapakadee’s son-in-law, his memory must become “a legacy that must be so much greater than the way he died.” ‍ BUSINESSES Shopping at AAPI-owned businesses is especially crucial during the pandemic, and is another direct mode of support. Welcome to Chinatown is a direct source to help local businesses in the New York City area. Asian-American and Pacific-Islander-owened businesses have been hit particularly hard since the beginning of the pandemic, and this organization helps with both long and short term recovery. Finder has a comprehensive list of 31 Asian-American businesses country-wide, ranging from beauty and clothing products to snacks and magazines. Day One Perspective also has lists of AAPI-owned restaurants in the New York City area to support. Asian Americans for Equality’ Emergency Small Business Fund provides funds to AAPI-owned small businesses. Their updated resource list provides aid to businesses that currently need it. RESOURCES Educating oneself about AAPI identity, history and experience is an important way to better understand the systematic racism, stereotypes and discrimination that work against them. Pure Wow has a running-list of resources, with emphasis on educational material. Examples include, but are not limited to, Asian Americans, a PBS documentary on the history of Asian-Americans in the United States and Deported, a series focusing on AAPI immigration and voices within the community. PBS’ website for the series Ancestors in America has a comprehensive list of in-depth educational resources, organized by specific countries. They include journal, research programs, museums and more. Books, such as Cathy Park Hong’s Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning, The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee and Myth of the Model Minority: Asian Americans Facing Racism by Rosalind S. Chou and Joe R. Feagin, are non-fiction accounts of the AAPI experience in America. More extensive reading lists for all ages can be found here and here. Additionally, Pratt Institute states that community members in need of support can reach out to the following resources for assistance: Pratt Counseling Office of International Affairs (for international students) Pratt Employee Assistance Program (for faculty and staff)