Asian Americans must stand with the Black Community. We’ve been hearing helicopters and sirens almost nonstop in the last few days. It’s a constant reminder of the great upheaval our nation is facing after the murder of Mr. George Floyd by the hands of police officers in Minneapolis last week. When our country began its endeavor against the pandemic earlier this year, we saw a rash of racially motivated violence against Asian American communities. Now, a brother from the Black community is senselessly killed as others begged for his life to no avail. The systemic forces of white supremacy that perpetuate these acts of violence have also bred a growing unrest among communities of color and we as Asian Americans MUST stand alongside the Black community to fight back. We cannot allow the model minority myth and our place within the United State’s racial hierarchy to separate us from Brown, Native and Black communities. It is our duty and within our power to use whatever privileges we may have to be allies to those who also resist this systemic oppression. It is our duty and within our hearts to empathize and connect our struggles with those who are denied the most. Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company pledges to be uncompromising in uplifting communities of color through the specificity of the stories we tell and in amplifying the voices of marginalized artists. We need you as our community to keep us accountable. No justice, no peace. With resolve, May Liang, Artistic Director/Director Cindy Cesca Yoshiyama, Managing Director Sunshine Lampitoc Smith, General Manager/Producer Annie Jin Wang, Literary Manager/Dramaturg Leon Goertzen, Founding Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director/Actor Rinabeth Apostol, Actor Will Dao, Actor Jeffrey Lo, Playwright/Director Ken Savage, Director Ogie Zulueta, Actor Here are some concrete action items that you can take right now: If you are an Asian person living in the United States, read “20+ Allyship Actions for Asians to Show Up for the Black Community Right Now.” Broad strokes resources to be a better ally: (courtesy of activist and fellow artist Leigh Rondon-Davis) 1. Think before you reshare graphic videos of violence against Black people. While these images are important to raise awareness and show others the extremity of this brutality, you risk re-triggering or traumatizing Black and brown folx in your communities. Read this: How Videos of Police Brutality Traumatize African Americans and Undermine the Search for Justice 2. Take time to educate other non-Black folx and challenge anti-blackness and racism in your families and social networks. This labor should not fall on people of color who are living these experiences. Read this next: Black People Need Stronger White Allies — Here’s How You Can Be One 3. Participate in advocacy to support the victims and their families; do your due diligence and make sure the organization is actually donating to the proper parties. A useful tool: Before Giving To Charity Direct Actions:
Additional Anti-racism Resources:
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