This document is created in response to the increased violence and hate crimes against Asian Americans since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Hate crimes against Asian Americans have spiked across the US since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Everyone can play a part in standing up to hate. Report anti-Asian and other hate incidents that you witness or experience. Intervene if you feel safe to do so. At the same time, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to seek healing when faced with racial stress. See further resources below.
Stand Up to Hate:
- Speak up. Correct others – adults AND children – who have mislabeled the virus (e.g., Wuhan virus, Asian virus, China virus, Klung flu) or make statements or jokes that imply that novel coronavirus comes from China or Asian/Pacific Islander people. Ask that they use the correct terms, COVID-19 or coronavirus, and gently educate them on the negative impact of their words.
- Learn how to intervene. Attend a FREE 1-hour bystander intervention virtual training to learn how to safely intervene in Anti-Asian and Pacific Islander harassment online and in person (from microaggression to violence). Read more about how to respond to street harassment and online harassment. Download a free digital guide to bystander intervention.
- Report hate. Report all witnessed or experienced hate incidents to Stop AAPI Hate (an online incident reporting portal). Available in English, Korean, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Khmer, Punjabi, Tagalog, Hmong, and Hindi.
- Fight fear with facts. Fact check what you read and choose to share with others.
- Stay educated. Learn about the history of systemic racism, oppression, and xenophobia in America towards Asians and other racial, ethnic, and religious groups.
- Xenophobia during times of pandemics has happened throughout history.
- Asian Americans, like other marginalized groups, have been resisting hate and oppression for many decades.
- Read about the extensive history of Asian, Black, Latinx, Arab, and Indigenous peoples in America and mobilization of students of color to fight racism.
- Watch a recorded Town Hall on race, struggle, and solidarity in the time of a global pandemic.
- Listen to a recorded podcast episode on race and COVID-19
- Read personal narratives of others who encounter microaggressions and hate:
- https://www.self.com/story/anti-asian-racism-coronavirus
- This Is What It’s Like To Be An Asian Woman In The Age Of The Coronavirus
- Teen Student In LA Assaulted As Coronavirus Fears Stoke ‘Racial Backlash’
- Asian Americans face new coronavirus racist incidents from coast to coast
- ‘Where’s your (expletive) mask?’: Asian woman attacked in Manhattan hate crime
- Man Arrested for Stabbing Burmese Man and His Son in Texas Sam’s Club
Additional Resources:
COVID-19 Toolkit on Response to Racism and Xenophobia
Be Kind to Yourself:
- It’s not all in your head. Learn about race-related stress and ways to cope.
- Racial trauma is real but there are ways to find healing.
- Check out The Racial Healing Handbook (Annelise A. Singh & Derald Wing Sue), a practical guide for navigating racism, challenging privilege, managing stress and trauma, and beginning to heal
- Cultivate self-compassion. Try meditating or engaging in self-reflection to restore wholeness and self-worth.
- Mindfulness apps (free!): Liberate (BIPOC), Headspace, Insight Timer, Calm
- Short, guided meditations in different languages
- Join a live, meditation session in English with John Kabat-Zinn or Richard Davidson or a recorded session in Spanish with Daniela Labra Cardero
- Ground yourself in a breath prayer or another mantra meditation. For example, you might try taking deep breaths while repeating a simple phrase like “I am whole, I am good” or thinking about aspects about your ancestry and cultural heritage that brings you pride.
- Journal about your experiences and identity
- Strengthen your support network. This can be an informal group of trusted friends or family members who understands your experiences with racism and discrimination. Or, you might join and stay up to date with a BIPOC, AAPI, or another supportive online community or advocacy organization:
- East Bay Meditation Center Virtual Sangha (meditation sangha/spiritual communities for multicultural, LGBTQ+, disabled, and BIPOC groups)
- HeartMob: a safe online space for individuals who have experienced harassment or to support others who have been harassed.
- Subtle Asian Traits: a large Facebook community of Asians and Asian diasporas
- NextShark: daily coronavirus updates and news for and about Asian American
- Continue to seek out joy. Text or video chat with friends and family. Attend a virtual workout. Take up a new hobby or resurrect an old, forgotten hobby. Schedule time for healthy, positive experiences or activities that make you happy.
- Build resilience. Attend a FREE 1-hour resiliency building experiential training to learn how to hold pain alongside joy during this global pandemic.
- Mobilize to action. Get involved in community-based grassroots efforts.
- Join a COVID-19 mutual aid network to support others during the pandemic.
- Join a local advocacy organization, such as OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, which has many regional chapters (e.g., Greater Seattle chapter) or another Racial equity organizations
Additional resources:
Surviving and Resisting Hate: A Toolkit for People of Color
COVID-19 Racial Equity and Social Justice Resources