A Guide To Being A Good Ally To Your American Asian Friends

The alarming rise in violence towards AAPI during the coronavirus pandemic may have you wondering what you could do and in what ways you could show up for your AAPI friends.

"CNN" reports that there have been at least ten anti-Asian hate crimes committed in New York City between January 1 and March 14. On March 16, eight people were shot to death. Six of the eight individuals whose lives were taken were women of Asian descent.

While these crimes have sparked further outcry and condemnation against anti-Asian hate, this is no isolated incident. Hate targeted towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has been on the rise since early last year, and it may have you wondering what you could do as a non-AAPI. Here are a few ways you can show up as an ally.

Educate Yourself

For a non-AAPI, it's important not to come in with a saviour complex and to check yourself as to not come from a place of ignorance. Get informed by reading and listening to news and media from Asian American news sources.

You can follow Asian American news outlets like NextShark or NBC Asian America for news and updates on the happenings.

Follow Acitivists On Social Media

In addition to getting informed, there are celebrities and activists who have been vocal on the matter like Jamie Chung, Amanda Nguyen, and Michelle Kim. You can also follow @StopAAPIHate on Instagram.

Share the stories and posts that bring awareness in efforts to educate others. Initiate conversations that bring the issue to light. Don't underestimate what your post can do in a space where popular news outlets may not be giving the issue sufficient attention.

Don't Overstep

Don't try and reach out to every single person you know of Asian descent asking them if they're okay. If you don't have the kind of relationship where you can talk about a matter like this, reaching out to your old classmate from high school or a random person you have no connection with. This is a matter of having the right intentions.

"Know your relationship. Your reach-out should come from a genuine and authentic place. It should be congruent with your relationship."

Therapist Edward Lee, LMHC

Give You Friend The Space To Express Themselves

Call Out Hate

Don't be a bystander if you have the capacity to do something. If someone is spreading anti-AAPI speech or "jokes," you can report incidents at Stop AAPI Hate.

You can also show your support by donating to advocacy groups like Asian Americans for Equality, Red Canary Song NAPAWF based in Atlanta.