Credit: Stuff Grace Made
The past two weeks have been rough, to say the least. It’s taken me awhile to process and understand how to possibly move on writing about things like beauty and fashion, when so many people are hurting. But I’ve also thought about writing as a way to continue to bring joy, however little it may be, to myself and for others.
What makes me most upset is that recent events emphasize that racism is still a problem in our world, and if our communities continue to remain silent, things will never change.
I am embarrassed to say I have never fully confronted my privilege as an Asian American woman until now, because it has always felt uncomfortable and upsetting. Maybe it has also felt conflicting because my so-called privilege, while it is definitely apparent, it can also seem unbelievable in some ways—especially as I have experienced racism and inequality throughout my life. But I acknowledge I will never fully understand the racism and injustice black Americans face every single day.
The point isn’t that “we’ve all experienced racism, so your hurt doesn’t matter as much as mine.” The point is that now, more than ever, minority communities, including the Asian American community, need to come together and act in solidarity with and support our black brothers and sisters. Because we live in a world plagued by systemic racism and it affects all communities of color. A place where, if black lives don’t matter, then our lives as Asians, Latinos, Native Americans don’t matter either.
Asian Americans need to dismantle this myth of the “model minority,” which only serves to pit people of color against each other and does not help defeat systemic racism. We need to continue to speak up and step up in our support for the black community.
I will continue to listen, donate, speak up, educate myself, and hold space for those in need. I want to continue to amplify the voices and stories of black people and other people of color, because they matter.
We can collectively take action to see a brighter, more just future that we all want and need, but it starts with each individual’s commitment to their own actions and intentions to make things better.
There are many ways to make a change, and each of us can do that in the ways that we feel called to. That might be protesting in the streets, donating, reading a book, or simply listening to and supporting a black friend.
For those who don’t know how or where to start, below are resources that have been helpful in my own education, and ways to make an impact.
Learn:
Books on racism for adults and kids, and black-owned bookstores to support.
7 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists.
10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship
Essential Anti-Racism Resources for Asian Americans
A guide to being an ally to Black Americans
Podcasts about race in America:
Code Switch (NPR)
1619 (New York Times)
Still Processing (New York Times)
Intersectionality Matters (AAPF)
Hear to Slay
Pod Save the People
Take action:
Donate to local and national organizations, Black-owned businesses, to the victims, to the protesters. Find various donation lists here.
Support Black-owned businesses.
Sign the 15 Percent Pledge, calling on major retailers to pledge 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
Monica Tretner
Thank you Kasey for sharing your thoughts and helpful resources on this matter! As an Asian American woman myself, I definitely felt similar feelings that you expressed in your post. It’s been an overwhelming, sad & trying last 2 weeks but knowing I’m not alone in these feelings and having all of these resources helps a lot. Thank you!