Raising our Voices in Solidarity

In the days after the shootings in Atlanta, in which 8 people were killed — 6 of them Asian women — I worked with my team at The California Wellness Foundation to express our sorrow, outrage and solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

One of the things that I appreciate about my work at Cal Wellness is that I am at an organization that is committed to using money and voice to help communities to be healthier, stronger, more resilient, more joyful in California. Especially communities of color. Here is our statement and an op-ed written by one of our board members, Geri Yang-Johnson, expressing her perspective on the killings and anti-Asian violence. 

In my work as a communications professional, I’ve learned that writing and voice don’t develop in a vacuum.

While I value the writing I do for myself, over the years, I have also developed my muscle and capacity to write on behalf of and in service to others. In doing so, I listen, I ask questions, I write, I receive feedback on what I’ve written, then I revise. Through this process, I learn, I grow and I have even more to give. 

We weren’t the only foundation raising our voice in solidarity with our Asian brothers and sisters. The Communications Network, an organization that provides support to communications professionals advancing the common good and social justice, has gathered the statements of many foundations in response to the violence. You can read them here. 

In the aftermath of deeply troubling events, I often find myself without words.

I may be furious, deeply saddened, profoundly shaken, just wanting to SCREAM!! No, this is wrong. No, not again. WHY?!!

If my words are caught in my gut, my heart, my throat, I find it helps so much to turn to the words of others. To read history, to listen to arguments and explanations.

I read them, listen, and notice where the words land in my gut, how they resonate in my heart. I pay attention to where they meet the scream, interrogating what they’ve said, or nodding in recognition, my own words loosen, begin to flow.  And then, I free write, or mind map in response, continuing the conversation – calling for justice, solidarity, care, generosity, respect, humanity, love made into action. 

Here are some other resources that I’ve been finding helpful as I’ve begun deepening my own learning about the challenges facing Asian Americans, and actions we can take to make a difference:

Michele Kim on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes: Who is our Real Enemy? In the piece, Kim provides helpful context on the origins of the model minority myth. 

America’s Long History of Scapegoating Its Asian Citizens appeared in National Geographic.

Resources regarding Violence against Asians is an extensive list of resources, and contains stats, educational articles, organizations to donate to and much more.