Asian American Allyship: Resources to Cultivate Belonging and Security

In light of the increase in anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has compiled the following resources. We hope they help you learn about and take action against the racism, discrimination and violence that Asians and Asian Americans experience. In addition, we’ve provided ways to donate to local and national organizations working to counteract discrimination and uplift affected communities.

1. Learn and Share

Learning is one thing we can all do at any time. There’s a wealth of resources available to gain more awareness on Asian and Asian American history and issues. Here are a few that we’re checking out at the moment.

• Asian Americans is a PBS film series that features personal stories to tell the evolving identities, contributions and challenges of Asian Americans.
• Read the book “The Chinese in America: A Narrative History” by Iris Chang.
• National Geographic provides a detailed account of America’s long history of scapegoating its Asian citizens.
• NPR gives perspective on the myth of Asian American as model minorities, why it exists, and why it’s harmful to other marginalized communities.
• Stop AAPI Hate released its National Report documenting nearly a year of COVID-19-related incidents of hate against Asian Americans.
• It’s Been A Minute with Sam Sanders featured an episode that shares A History of Anti-Asian Racism.

2. Speak and Report

We all know the saying “If you see something, say something.” The same goes for hate, so use these resources to become an active ally.

• The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has compiled helpful information for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents.
• Stop AAPI Hate is an independent reporting tool dedicated to tracking acts of anti-Asian hate and discrimination.
• Stop The Hate is a non-governmental reporting tool that victims and bystanders can use to report any incident of hate or bias.
• Legal and social service assistance for victims is available through the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and their Stop Hate project, which also operates the Stop Hate hotline (1-844-9-NO-HATE) in a number of languages.
• Register for Bystander Intervention Trainings during the month of April, which are offered in partnership by Hollaback and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
• For additional reading on being an active bystander, check out Show Up: Your Guide to Bystander Intervention and How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism.

3. Give Your Support

Incredible organizations are addressing anti-Asian hate through organizing and community building. You can advance their work with a donation today.

• Vancouver Chinese Association: This group is actively looking for volunteers to support its organizing and advocacy efforts. Donations are welcome, but are not tax deductible.
• Vietnamese Community of Clark County: This organization accepts cash and check donations and is currently seeking volunteers to check on community elders.
• Support for Atlanta: Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian American Advocacy Fund, 9to5 Georgia, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum – Atlanta
• Stop AAPI Hate: Your donation enables this organization to track and respond to the surge in anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.
• Aisan Americans Advancing Justice: Many of the resources above were curated by this national human rights group, which relies on individual donations.

We believe expertise is a joint venture, and we are always looking for ways to learn and grow. If you have valuable resources to share or are connected to local partners involved in this work, please let us know. Email us at [email protected] to help build on the resources listed here.