Resources for Faculty
Greetings from sabbatical:
As an anti-racist, feminist scholar/teacher/off campus activist over the last 30 years it has been really heartening to see the upsurge of interest in transnational feminisms, critical race theory, anti-racist scholarship, and intersectionality theory on our campus. The sincere desire among our colleagues to learn from each other is extremely moving.
In that spirit I wanted to let everyone know that the COVID 19 pandemic has led to an upsurge in violence and racial harassment against Asian Americans in the U.S. The monolithic mythical ideology of Asians as the Model Minority has been debunked—data show that some of the most impoverished Americans are immigrants from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In addition, the experiences of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani Americans are incredibly diverse across AND within racial ethnic groups. Nonetheless, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been lumped together for the purposes of research and policy. In addition, most Americans do not recognize the nuances of ethnic and economic differences among these disparate groups from vastly different countries.
Like many of you my knowledge of Asian American culture is limited. My work focuses on African American, Latinx, and low-income white populations. I worked hard over the years to incorporate research on Asian Americans into my .courses. As many of you know there is a long history of anti-Asian American sentiment that dates back to the 1800s –the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act (the first explicitly race based immigration policy), the race-based inoculation and quarantine plan that was enforced against Chinese residents in San Francisco during the bubonic plague epidemic of 1900, and a variety of other racist policies used against a myriad of Asian American groups.
Since many of us are trying to engage more with anti-racist work I thought I would provide some information for anyone who wants to learn more about the current activist and community groups working to protect Asian American Communities. If you're interested in getting reading suggestions feel free to contact me--but I think the best way to go is to contact campus faculty who teach in the Asian Studies Program--incredible teacher/scholar/activists on our own campus!
This is a great moment for coalition building and for eliminating the historical lack of trust that exists between oppressed groups. BLM and Latinx groups in San Francisco and in NYC have begun to work with Asian American activists to understand the ways in which they have been pitted against each other (divide and conquer) and how to work together in anti-racist work that respects the specific differences between and among groups, while focusing on the commonalities of historical marginalization and oppression. I have included some links that illustrate the rise in hate crimes and activist groups that are working for racial justice, tool kits for anti-racist course work, and a list of Asian American activist groups. I am sure there are many more that I have not included--I just wanted to give people a place to start.
News Articles
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/nyregion/asian-hate-crimes-attacks-ny.html
https://abc7.com/asian-hate-crimes-orange-county-10-times-higher-oc/10371354/
Toolkits
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Student Tool Kit: Responding to Hate
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)
Hate Crimes Tool Kit and Messaging Guidance on China
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
When Hate Hits You: A resource guide on anti-Asian sentiment including examples of hate crimes, factors that cause anti-Asian sentiment, and steps to take when an incident occurs.
A Troubling Legacy: A concise history of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States.
An Unnoticed Struggle: A concise history of Asian American civil rights issues.
Words Can Kill the Spirit: A brochure explaining racial slurs directed at Asian Americans.
Anti-Asian Sentiment on Campus: A brochure that outlines what to do if a hate incident or hate crime occurs on campus.
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
Responding to Hate Incidents: Community Action Guide
COVID-19 Toolkit: Strategies to Defeating Asian American Racial Profiling and Xenophobia
Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC & Hollaback!
Bystander Intervention Virtual Trainings
IMPACT Bay Area Training
Online classes
Asian American and Asian Pacific American Based Organizations
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
The affiliates of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, ALC, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, work together to provide legal services, organizing, and advocacy on behalf of the Asian Pacific American community.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Atlanta
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Asian Law Caucus
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Los Angeles
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
AALDEF is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.
Contact AALDEF for legal assistance at 1-800-966-5946 or through their website
Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (A3PCON)
A3PCON is a coalition of community-based organizations that advocates for the rights and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Community. They work on hate crimes through their project STOP AAPI HATE.
View resources
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
Founded in 1929, the JACL is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. JACL is composed of over 100 chapters across the Nation, divided into seven district councils.
View list of regional offices here.
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. A membership-driven organization based in Washington, DC with over 50 chapters and affiliates around the country.
View list of regional offices here.
South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
SAALT is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization that elevates the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States.
View resources here.
The Sikh Coalition
The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people.
View resources here.
The Southern Poverty Law Center
The SPLC is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.
View resources and report hate incidents here.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
Sincerely,
Anne R. Roschelle
Professor, Department of Sociology
