I am Hmong. I am Asian American. I am a descendant of refugees. I have experienced racism firsthand. I have been discriminated against, called racial slurs, and bullied solely because of the shape of my eyes and the color of my skin. I have been told to speak English. I have been told to go back to my country.
There is a long history of positive collaboration and growth between the African American and Asian American communities. The civil rights that I, and many others, am privileged to delight in today were bought with the blood and tears of black Americans. I understand my responsibility to stand in solidarity with the black community.
We’re given a chance now to recognize that many black Americans are not afforded the same opportunities as other Americans, to better understand their history of oppression, and to acknowledge that these protests are necessary in order to create change.
Questions to ask yourself:
What can you do to support people of color in your community?
When were you taught about race and culture? When did you become aware of systemic racism?
How can you use anti-racist knowledge to change and progress conversations with friends, family, colleagues and peers?
Actions you can take:
Educate yourself and read up on what it means to be anti-racist.
Share and repost resources to educate those around you.
Don’t center the narrative around you. Identify the privilege and condemn it.
Stop supporting organizations that promote hate.
Continue to donate to funds and support initiatives that you care about, if you have the means.
Join the protest or sign a petition.
Organizations you can donate to:
Asian Americans for Equality (AAEF) https://www.aafe.org/donate
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
Local bail funds across the US https://bailfunds.github.io/
Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) https://m4bl.org/mutual-aid/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=in-text-link
National Police Accountability Project (NPAP) https://www.nlg-npap.org/donate/
Petitions you can sign:
Hands Up Act https://www.change.org/p/us-senate-hands-up-act
National Action Against Police Brutality https://www.change.org/p/national-action-against-police-brutality-and-murder
Police De-Escalation Training https://www.change.org/p/senator-blumenthal-george-floyd-we-need-nationwide-police-de-escalation-training-now
Police Force Academies – Racial Bias Test https://www.change.org/p/nsw-police-mandate-the-police-force-academies-to-take-racial-bias-test-rbt?signed=true