8 Immediate Ways You Can Fight Racism Against Asians
Photo by cottonbro
Tomorrow, Feb 23, 2021, we celebrate Equal Pay Day for Asian Women. We’re taking this day to talk about the vital importance of eliminating this wage gap, but also address the spike in violence against Asians in America.
Across the country, there were more than 2,500 reports of anti-Asian hate incidents related to COVID-19 between March and September 2020.
It gets worse. Over 80% of Asian kids report being bullied or harassed in 2020. 80%!!! And as depressing as this next statistic is, it’s unsurprising - Asian women report discrimination 2.4x more than men during Covid-19.
These harrowing numbers speak to the rampant xenophobia and racism that has existed in America since its inception but has increased dramatically with the pandemic. There’s been a spate of violence against elderly Asians across the country.
What can we do?
First off, acknowledge your complicity. Our feminism MUST be intersectional. We must rise in solidarity with all Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pan Asian, and other sisters of color. As MLK Jr said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Violence, repression, and discrimination against Asian women is wrong. What’s next:
Check-in with your Asian community members, friends, family, and neighbors and see how they’re doing and how you might help make them feel supported and safe.
Speak up – don’t let racist comments, jokes, or slurs fly on your watch. Call them out directly as what they are – UNACCEPTABLE. Have open dialogues and conversations within your various circles to put this topic of violence and discrimination against Asians on everyone’s radar.
Educate yourself – learn more about Asian culture, contributions, discrimination in a 5 part PBS series, read about the model minority myth, or
Fight for equal pay for Asian women and amplify this message.
Report racism here to stop it now and contact your government reps to let them know this needs to change - stopaapihate.org
Empower and uplift our Asian communities with organizations like imreadymovement.org and follow some activists like @howtonottravellikeabasicbitch and @asianswithattitudes
Support Nasty Women like Vania Kurniawati and those in your lives and community!