STOP ASIAN HATE: How To Be An Ally to Asian-Americans

BE AN ALLY & STOP THE HATE

On Tuesday, March 16, eight people of Asian descent, six of which were women, were killed in Atlanta-area massage parlors. While this was the tipping point, it certainly wasn’t a one-off, random occurrence. The fact is, rising rates of anti-Asian violence have dramatically increased in the United States since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes surged by 149%, and roughly 3,800 hate crimes against Asians were reported between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Most of these crimes were against women and the elderly.

Here’s the thing. If you’re a part of the BeatStars Community, you should also be a part of the bigger movement that’s working towards dismantling racism, xenophobia, race-related hate crimes, and the perpetuation of racial stereotypes. BeatStars does not condone racism, hate crimes, and the targeting of our Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

America has racist roots and a lot of work to do. Much like our call to support Black Lives Matter and related organizations over the last year, we’re calling on our community to support organizations against Asian hate and to act as an ally in tearing down racist stereotypes and educating others of the horrible events occurring to the Asian community.

Here’s how you can be an ally to the Asian-American community, and how you can be a proactive dismantler of racism in America.

HOW TO BE A PROACTIVE ALLY

DONATE

When you donate to an organization with a strong mission, you help make a difference that’s often hard to make with your own hands. Social justice organizations not only work to achieve their mission, but they also help empower individuals to effect change. There are a number of organizations you can donate to in order to help support Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian immigrants.

STOP AAPI HATE
STOP APPI HATE tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

ASIAN PACIFIC FUND

APF’S mission is to strengthen the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the Bay Area by increasing philanthropy and supporting the organizations that serve our most vulnerable community members.

ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE

You can now donate to Asian Americans Advancing Justice through Beats4Love. AAAJ’s mission is to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

API EQUALITY - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

APIENC builds queer and transgender Asian and Pacific Islander power to amplify our voices and increase the visibility of our communities.

ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

APEN is building the power of Asian communities on the frontlines to stop big polluters from poisoning our families and destabilizing our climate.

EDUCATE

Posting educational infographics to your Instagram story is one thing, but are you actively learning yourself? Are you helping the AAPI community out by sitting down with your friends and family to ensure they understand the escalation and problem of these hate crimes occurring in America? Adding a graphic to your story is one thing, but ensuring you have a clear and full understanding of what’s happening and how you (and your personal connections) can help is a whole other side of the coin. You’re already being proactive by simply reading this article, so thank you. Now take these resources and spread the word to those around you.

Here are some additional articles you can read to learn more about what’s going on:

NPR: Atlanta-Area Spa Shootings Spur Debate Over Hate Crime Label

Reuters: For Asian-Americans, Atlanta shooting sows fresh fear after a year of mounting discrimination

New York Times: Asian-Americans were targeted in nearly 3,800 hate incidents in the past year

ADDITIONAL TIPS

This useful information comes directly from GMMB.

• Use the language supported by scientists and public health officials when referring to COVID-19.
• Denounce rising discrimination and hate crimes by discouraging jokes that blame certain groups or countries for the spread of the virus.
• Encourage someone affected by discrimination or harassment to report their experience on Stop AAPI Hate.
• Share accurate and accessible information surrounding the pandemic. Verifying information before sharing is a simple way to protect others. To reach diverse populations, consider translating your materials into key languages that fit your audience.
• Reach out to your local officials to emphasize the need for policy that extends social resources to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and small business owners.