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\nThere\u2019s a common misconception that Asian Americans are the \u201cmodel minority”\u2014quiet, hardworking, successful. However, the minority classification still implies something other than what\u2019s accepted in the mainstream–American but not quite American enough, and stereotypes are a disservice both to the people that are making them as well as those about whom they’re made. They are also an incredibly lazy way of generalizing about a community that is comprised of a rich multitude of countries, cultures, histories, languages, experiences, and individuals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Being a model minority also doesn\u2019t preclude you from racism. Discrimination against Asian Americans is not new\u2014see the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and World War II\u2019s Japanese internment camps as two glaring, but certainly not isolated, examples. But since the pandemic, anti-Asian racism has seen dramatic increases. This is, at least in part, due to elected officials repeatedly referring to COVID-19 as the \u201cChina Virus\u201d and \u201cKung Flu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University<\/span><\/a> has reported that reported anti-Asian hate crimes surged 149 percent in 2020, while overall hate crime dropped seven percent (<\/span>hate crimes<\/span><\/a> in general also tend to be underreported). The attacks have gotten increasingly egregious and disturbing, often targeting elderly individuals. All over the country, victims in their 60s, 80s, and even 90s have been harassed, shoved, slashed, and even murdered.<\/span><\/p>\n It has escalated to the point where, in January, President Biden issued an <\/span>executive memorandum<\/span><\/a> condemning xenophobic language against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) related to COVID-19, and in a recent primetime address, he called out <\/span>hate crimes against Asian Americans<\/span><\/a> as wrong and un-American.<\/span><\/p>\n Speeches and public denouncements are important, but they can only go so far. You can\u2019t enact change without action. Whether you\u2019re looking to donate money or time, educate yourself, or report an incident, here are just a few of the many resources and ways to support the AAPI community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Stop AAPI Hate<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n An initiative created by the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and San Francisco State University, Stop AAPI Hate has safety tips, reports, donation collection, and a form to report incidents for yourself or on behalf of others.<\/span><\/p>\n Hate is A Virus<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Hate is a Virus was started as a movement in the early months of the pandemic in 2020. It has since become a non-profit community of organizers who help raise awareness around important issues, educate, and partner with other community leaders and organizers to take action. Their commUNITY action fund raises money to give back and support local and national organizations working to dismantle racism.<\/p>\n Asian Mental Health Collective<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n The AMHC’s goal is to make mental health services accessible to Asian communities globally. On the website, you can read submitted stories, learn about individuals and organizations trying to make a difference, and find various resources, therapists, and hotlines.<\/p>\n Chinese for Affirmative Action<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n This organization was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans, but has grown to represent the larger AAPI community. <\/span>They are one of 90+ organizations<\/span><\/a> who have joined forces to demand action to protect communities in San Francisco and Oakland, CA. You can sign up to volunteer or donate on their website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Asian Americans Advancing Justice<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n AAAJ is a non-profit that supports the Asian American community through education, litigation, and public policy advocacy. You can <\/span>share your own story or read others<\/span><\/a>, donate, or find a local affiliate in a number of cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta).<\/span><\/p>\n Hollaback!<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Hollaback! collects stories of harassment from all over the world, with the goal of changing the culture that perpetuates harassment of women, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and other marginalized communities. They\u2019ve parted with AAAJ to offer <\/span>free anti-racism trainings<\/span><\/a>, including bystander intervention and how to respond to harassment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n According to the <\/span>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)<\/span><\/a>, Asians are the least likely ethnic group to use mental health services, prescription medication, or outpatient services. NAMI is the nation\u2019s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving mental health for all Americans. On their website, you can find <\/span>a list of mental health resources for the AAPI community<\/span><\/a>, including educational resources, support groups, and a directory of therapists.<\/span><\/p>\n Compassion in Oakland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In response to the attacks on elders in northern California, five Bay Area residents formed Compassion in Oakland, a resource that pairs volunteer chaperones with the elderly or vulnerable to foster greater community safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Asian American Federation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Based in New York, the AAF, along with their partner members and organizations advocates for Asian New Yorkers across areas such as immigration integration, mental health, and economic development. In a recent report, the AAF found Asian American employment has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; between February and May of 2020, Asian American unemployment increased from 3.4 to 25.6 percent, higher than all other major racial groups.<\/span><\/p>\n Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The AALDEF was founded in 1974 as an organization to protect the civil rights of Asian Americans around the country. Through the help of lawyers, policy advocates, volunteers, and community organizers, they educate, litigate, and train others to serve the AAPI community.<\/span><\/p>\n Asian American Journalists Association<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to accurately tell AAPI stories without AAPI storytellers. The AAJA is a non-profit organization that works towards increasing diversity and inclusivity in newsrooms and journalism.<\/span><\/p>\n Asians for Anti-Racism<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Two New York City teens have created a website that compiles helpful resources to educate themselves and others on how to dismantle bias and racism. Read, reflect, learn, take action, and donate.<\/span><\/p>\n