Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate is not new in the United States; however, it has been worsening. There have been nearly 3,800 reported instances of discrimination against AAPI peoples in the past year, and this number could probably be much higher. Here are some resources and organizations you can check out to educate yourself about this historical, current, and ongoing racism.
History of AAPI Hate in the U.S.
AAPI racism has always existed in the U.S., with extreme events dating back to the Chinese massacre of 1871 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In World War II, Japanese people were forced into internment camps after the Pearl Harbor bombing. Today, hate crimes are being committed against AAPI members due to racist and false narratives tied to the Coronavirus. Unfortunately, this is a very small scope of the issue, and there are many unrecorded atrocities as well. To learn more about how this hate is deeply embedded within our history, society, and culture, you can read the following articles: “The scapegoating of Asian Americans”; A History of Anti-Asian Hate in the United States”; “The long, ugly history of anti-Asian racism and violence in the U.S.”
AAPI Organizations
The following organizations provide educational resources as well as support for AAPI communities. Take a look at them to expand your awareness and knowledge of current issues and how you can help:
About: “In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.”
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)
About: “Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is a national membership organization dedicated to expanding and mobilizing philanthropic and community resources for underserved AAPI communities to build a more just and equitable society.”
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
About: “The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) is a federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations. We seek to build the organizational capacity of local LGBT AAPI groups, develop leadership, promote visibility, educate our community, enhance grassroots organizing, expand collaborations, and challenge anti-LGBTQ bias and racism.”