“I speak your language with no accent. I erased my ancestors’ name with no traces. I covered myself to show less skin. I scoffed at my parents’ culture to fit into yours, and yet, you spit in my face. You say I don’t belong. You call me foreigner. You cut off my legs and you expect me to walk.”

—Minority by Astrid Suu

 

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#REALTALK

• How to Be an Ally: It can be hard to know how to be an ally. As someone who’s biracial—half Chinese, half white—I’m constantly reconciling my pain as the oppressed and my privilege as the oppressor, navigating the dynamics of half of my family learning to voice their suffering and the other half who are learning how to step back and be an ally. It’s a strange experience for your literal existence to sit smack dab in the middle. It is messy and painful and imperfect.
• It got me thinking: I go through cycles of feeling overwhelmed, helpless, like I can always do more, like nothing I say or do will make a difference. It’s all ok. We’re all trying to figure out how to show up for each other in supportive and sustainable ways. I hope this list of incredible resources from one of my favorite AAPI artists and activists Kim Saira helps anchor you in whatever action feels right for you. We all have different roles in this Revolution. We’re not supposed to do #allthethings. Figure out what resonates with you and go with that.
• Healing Affirmations for Racial Trauma: This has been a traumatizing or re-traumatizing time for many of us. You are not alone. Here are three healing affirmations to get through this dark time and remind yourself that YOU ARE WORTHY. Repeat after me:

I DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.
MY FEELINGS ARE VALID.
MY VOICE MATTERS.

 

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Dear Asian brothers and sisters,
This is your permission slip to DO LESS right now. Take a nap. Go on a walk. Binge watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix. Eat cozy food. Don’t forget, self care is a form of activism.

• Help Asian Americans Fight Anti-Asian Racism: It is always exhausting to be Asian in this country, but the last few weeks have tipped many of us over the edge. If you have Asian family members, colleagues, friends, or clients:

Please educate yourself on what’s going on.
Please offer time off.
Please be flexible with deadlines.
Please donate.
Please amplify Asian voices.
Please validate Asian experiences.
Please support Asian-owned businesses.
Please gift massages, self-care packages, food deliveries, laundry services, childcare.
Please make it easier for us to take care of ourselves and our families.

The Asian American community is hurting. No one is listening. We are tired. If you’re looking for organizations to donate to, here are a few to start (courtesy of the Asian Hustle Network):

• Stop Asian Hate – issues grants to trusted AAPI organizations working to rectify the racial inequalities in our society
• Hate Is a Virus – nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate
• Act to Change – addresses bullying in the AAPI community
• Red Canary Song – a grassroots collection of Asian and migrant sex workers organization transnationally
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice – advances civil and human rights for Asian Americans
• Asian American Advocacy Fund – advocates for the civil and human rights of AAPIs in Georgia
• Center for Pan Asian Community Services – provides programs and services to immigrants, refugees and the underprivileged
• The Center for Asian Pacific American Women – offers professional development programs for Asian women

WARM AND FUZZIES

Alan Kim Wins a Critics Choice Award

 

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Let’s take a minute from all of the turmoil to CELEBRATE Asian Americans with the sweetest video you ever did see. Minari hit me in my feels. The relationship between David, portrayed by Alan Kim, and his grandmother had me drenched in tears. So much love for the cast of this beautiful and moving movie! Congratulations to the sweetest pumpkin there ever was on his Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer. We are HERE for tears of joy and being emotional!

OBSESSION OF THE WEEK

Hello Care Package

 

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Self-care is so important when going through periods of deep sadness and grieving, but it can be hard to know where to start when you already feel so depleted. Here’s an idea for how to treat yourself, your sister or your BFF to some yummy self care while supporting a kickass Asian-owned business at the same time!

MONTHLY HAPPENINGS: FEATURES + EVENTS

Talkspace: 3 Ways POC Can Prioritize Growth in the Face of Hardship

Not Your Average Mother Runner Podcast: Freeing Yourself From Perfectionism

Tina Lifford: Instagram Live

Women In Our Town: Lean-in and burnout: Perfectionism in Corporate Women

Happy first month of spring loves,

XO,

Elizabeth