A Statement of Solidarity
Asian Pacific American Arts Organizations
in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
Graphic by Kalaya’an Mendoza.
Dear Community,
We are grateful for the privilege to create spaces and opportunities for Asian Pacific Islander artists and cultural workers. As we have the opportunity to celebrate our art and culture, we stand in solidarity with the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, along with their families and communities. It is important for our community to recognize the historical violence and injustice inflicted upon black, brown and indigenous communities in the United States and call ourselves in to dismantle racist and oppressive systems. While there will always be much more to do, small acts of engagement can open up possibilities to create a more just world. As non-black people of color we must take ownership of our participation in working towards anti-racism, in support of Black Lives Matter.
Organizations like our own, dedicated to the creation and celebration of art by Asian Pacific Americans, would not have been conceived without the revolutionary ideas of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement. The tradition of collective consciousness shows we have the creative tools to uplift our communities for a more just and equitable future through art and storytelling. We use art and culture to honor our heritage and part of that heritage is entwined in our solidarity with Black liberation.
Looking to examples like the Third World Liberation Front, Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, #Asians4BlackLives and many more, we must continue to actively listen and support the needs of Black communities. With the list of actions and references below, we encourage our communities to continue envisioning a creative ecosystem that breaks down the structures which divide us.
Sincerely,
Michelle A. Lee
AAWAA Board President
This is a collective statement by the following Asian Pacific American arts organizations:
Asian American Women Artists Association
Asian Improv aRts
Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center
Kearny Street Workshop
Support Victims' Families
George Floyd Memorial Fund
GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor
GoFundMe for Ahmaud Arbery
GoFundMe for TonyMcDade
Donate to Organizations & Resources for Black Communities in Minneapolis
Black Visions Collective - Black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization
Reclaim the Block - grassroots organization fighting for violence prevention, housing, youth resources, and mental health response
Minnesota Freedom Fund - local organization helping bail out protestors
NAACP Minneapolis
Black Immigrants Collective
Black Lives Matter Minnesota
Coalition of Asian American Leaders in Minnesota
Unity & Solidarity for George Floyd - Individuals & organizations may sign-on
Black and Asian American Solidarity References & Resources
Letters for Black Lives
Letters for Black Lives Translations Project
1993 Yuri Kochiyama presentation on Malcom X, Asian and Black history in the Americas (Recorded by Bob Hsiang)
South Asians and Black Lives (Medium article by Deepa Iyer)
“What It Means to Make Art as an Asian American in the Pandemic” (KQED Article by Eda Yu, offers brief history of Asian American protest art)
Tou Thao and the Myths of Asian American Solidarity
Contribute to Bay Area Resources
Anti-Police Terror Project
People's Breakfast Oakland
Black Earth Farms - delivering free food to Black people who have been arrested, bailed, injured or traumatized during Oakland uprisings
SoOakland - Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses
Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee
Showing Up for Racial Justice Bay Area
Silicon Valley De-Bug
More Tools & Resources
Color of Change
Brave Space Alliance (Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center in Chicago)
Communities United Against Police Brutality
26 Ways to be in the Struggle: Beyond the Streets
#SMS4BLM Social Media Solidarity for Black Lives Matter