We stand with unwavering commitment against racism and violence toward Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, which has surged during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will fight to overcome hate, violence, and bigotry to make sure that we as well as our most vulnerable community members are safe. We know that by rising up together, we will win against hatred and violence. 

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As the pandemic wears on, the alarming trend of hate crimes against AAPI continues to spike, particularly violence against AAPI women. From March 2021 to December 2021, Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition that tracks xenophobia and discrimination against AAPI, received 10,905 reports of anti-Asian hate, 37.8% of which are in California. Some reported being called racial slurs, spat on, and physically assaulted. Women made up 62.0% of those targeted by the violence. Many AAPI women are living in fear, scared to leave their homes, worried for their families, alongside an outpouring of grief and anger in the wake of the March 16, 2021 shootings at three spas in Atlanta, Georgia. 

 

Positive Methods to Change Fear into Empowerment

We affirmatively challenge victim-blaming, including the ways we blame ourselves. Perpetrators of violence hold sole responsibility for the decision to assault someone. However, individuals who fear targeted violence can take effective steps to increase their own safety, including our self-defense training. Learning what our minds, voices, and bodies could do, realizing that we are worth defending, and giving ourselves permission to stay safe emotionally and physically is a powerful and transformative experience. 

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Help Stop Hate Against the Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders Communities

Ways you can help curb hate against AAPI communities.

 

1.SPEAK UP about the increased hatred, violence, and bullying toward AAPI.

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2.REPORT instances of anti-Asian attacks at StopAAPIhate.org.

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3.ADVOCATE for AAPI and Black solidarity. The more we stand together, the more effective our efforts against racism and white supremacy.

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4.DONATE to victim GoFundMes and organizations that work on community safety for AAPI, often in solidarity with other minority groups. 

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Bystander Intervention

How to intervene when you see disrespect or harassment happening. Guidelines courtesy of Right To Be. 

 

1.DISTRACT by pretending to be friends, ask for the time or make commotion, be creative.

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2.DELEGATE by finding someone else better equipped to deal with it and ask them to intervene.

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3.DOCUMENT using a phone to video record or write down the harassment and give it to the person who was harassed.

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4.DELAY consists of comforting the harassed person after, acknowledging the behavior was wrong, be a friend. 

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5.DIRECT by setting a boundary directly. Avoid getting into a back and forth or escalate the situation. 

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