Image by National Korean American Service & Education Consortium.
The Asian American and Pacific Islander community is at the forefront of the fight against white supremacy, as exemplified by AAPI organizations’ and leaders’ actions since the tragedy and violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance issued the following statement on Aug. 14:
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) condemns the brazen acts of hate and violence during the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA this past weekend. APALA demands for justice for the deceased and all injured and joins thousands of labor partners, advocates and community allies to organize, resist, and fight back in response.
Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930, stated: “The despicable acts of hate and racism we saw this past weekend cannot be called anything else but acts of terror. To water down the true intent and meaning of such a vitriolic rally is to be complicit in a system that accepts the debasement and dehumanization of communities of color and all marginalized groups.”
“We applaud the many peaceful counter protesters who stood shoulder to shoulder in the larger fight to dismantle racism,” commented APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh. “Moving forward, we must remember the power that our communities have in numbers, especially in these times when our communities are under constant attack. We will not be silenced nor will we back down to the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and the administration, which continues to push policies of white supremacy and nationalism.”
The APALA followed up the statement with a vigil for the Charlottesville victims at its convention a few days later.
The APALA isn’t unique as an AAPI-oriented entity fighting white supremacy and challenging the Trump Administration on many fronts. Indeed, a few days after the inauguration in January, the APALA website listed more than 100 similar-minded organizations committed to the resistance.
The Asian American Action Fund — a PAC dedicated to electing progressive AAPIs — continued the momentum with its own statement this Tuesday:
The board of the Asian American Action Fund (AAAFund) stands united against the hate and extremism displayed in Charlottesville and mourns the murder of Heather Heyer and the victims of hate crimes in places like Olathe, KS and Portland, OR. Sadly, the Southern Poverty Law Center has logged an exponential increase in hate crimes – over 1000 this year thus far as perpetrators have been emboldened by Trump’s election. We also condemn the moral equivalence of President Trump, who seeks to soft-pedal the bigotry and violence of those who hate ethnic Americans. His words give comfort to neo-Nazis and white supremacists to continue on their destructive, anti-American course.
There are many elected leaders, Democratic and Republican, American and abroad who have spoken out against the burgeoning white supremacist movement. We call on our elected officials to not only speak, but to lead through actions and to support anti-hate crimes statutes and taking down Confederate monuments and symbols that celebrate slavery. Making America great doesn’t mean returning us to Civil War, it means celebrating our nation’s diversity and pluralism, and ensuring that hate has no place at home.
Meanwhile, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium is in the midst of a 22-day White House vigil to oppose efforts to eliminate the Obama-initiated program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. A rally is happening today.
In addition to direct action like rallies and vigils, online advocacy is a major part of the community’s work. The PIVOT Netork, a progressive Vietnamese American organization, has helped to popularize the #AAPIsResist hashtag on Twitter, while South Asian Americans Leading Together has debunked “model minority” stereotypes. On Facebook, Asian and Pacific Islanders Vote is stepping up its efforts to promote civic and electoral engagement, including by recruiting for new staffers.
The AAPI arts world is activated too. As reported yesterday, the Smithsonian’s first Asian American literary festival brought together more than 80 AAPI artists to share their work and life experiences in Washington last month. Similar festivals may be held across the country. Journalist Lisa Ling tomorrow at the California Museum in Sacramento will moderate a civil rights panel discussion featuring labor activist Dolores Huerta, Stuart Milk of the Harvey Milk Foundation, state Sen. Holly Mitchell and Daniel Hahn, Sacramento's first black police chief.
The intersectionality exhibited by these actions is nothing new for the AAPI community. For instance, the Japanese Americans Citizens League was an early supporter of marriage equality, and Rep. Patsy Mink, the first woman of color elected to Congress, joined with the Congressional Black Caucus in challenging the 2000 presidential election results.
Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, spoke for much of the community in her statement on Aug. 14:
I unequivocally condemn their message of hate and intolerance that was so blatantly on display this weekend. And to those who felt intimidated, frightened, or unwelcome because of this march, know that you are not alone. Diversity is our strength, and our community of support far outnumber their community of hate.
