On March 16, 2021, a gunman took the lives of eight people, six of them Asian women, in a series of shootings in Atlanta, Georgia. Although investigations are ongoing, it's clear that this crime was motivated by racism and misogyny. Yet, it is but one in a series of recent violent attacks against Asian Americans. This devastating tragedy deserves all of our condemnation, and reminds us again that racism is not just a part of our nation's past—it is an ever-present crisis. 

Anti-Asian racism is not at all new in the U.S., but the staggering truth is that:

• Hate crimes against Asian Americans surged by nearly 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic, even while overall hate crimes decreased by 7%, according to a recent report by California State University, San Bernardino.
• A report published this week by Stop AAPI Hate revealed that nearly 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents were reported between March 2020 and February 2021, with women reporting hate incidents at 2.3 times the rate of men. 
• According to Pew Research, 58% of Asian adults said it was more common for people to express racist views about Asian people than it was before the pandemic. 31% said they had been subject to racist slurs or jokes.

This surge in anti-Asian racism happens as white supremacy has been steadily on the rise and has led to egregious acts of domestic terrorism across the country. We stand with our Asian and Asian American community members everywhere. We’ve pulled resources and tips directly from AAPI groups who are leading this work (credited and linked throughout), and created a list of ways you can help take action and support our Asian American communities. Please share this guide or any others you find useful, and together let’s keep fighting for an anti-racist world for all.  

1. Donate to (or share) the work of these organizations.

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Atlanta) has created a donation page. All donations will go to the victims and their families impacted by the shootings on March 16. 
• Stop AAPI Hate
• AAPI Women Lead
• Asian Pacific Environmental Network
• Community Action Fund - GoFundMe page created by org Hate is a Virus

2. Sign on in support.

• Add your name to this collective statement by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Atlanta): A Community-Centered Response to Violence Against Asian American Communities 

3. Demand more from leaders.

• Contact your representatives and ask them what they’re doing to support the Asian community right now. Tell them it’s important to you that they speak up and take action on this issue. Call 1-844-USA-0234 and enter your zip code to be connected with your representatives, or text RESIST to 50409.

4. Be actively anti-racist.

• Call out racism, microaggressions and prejudices, including the “model minority” myth, which can lead to a lack of anti-Asian racism advocacy work.
  • "Stop that."
  • "That's inappropriate."
  • "I don't condone any kind of racism."
• Educate others and raise awareness.
• Hold yourself and others accountable and unlearn toxic views now so they don’t foster within the next generations.

5. Find more ways to take action here. 

By Dr. Mary 

Everyone is on a journey at some point in their lives. As I approach 50 this year, I reflect on my life and ask what have I done?  I have five degrees including a doctorate but feel I have not reached my full potential. 

What have I really accomplished?  What have I contributed to my community?  What am I going to leave between the dash of 1969 and ---?  What legacy will I leave for my children? 

So, this year I have embarked on a journey to “find myself.”  Several times I have asked myself: ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ It seems I know more of what I don’t want, than what I want.  What is my passion and my purpose in life?  I want to know, ‘what was I sent on Earth to do?  What has the Creator gifted me to do’? 

One of the first things I did was fast and pray.  At the time, I was teaching elementary school and was miserable.  I kept looking for alternate employment before I left but found nothing, and the more I prayed it seemed the worse things got on the job; I finally took a leap of faith and quit. 

I began putting things in place to begin my practice, all the while thinking there has got to be more that I’m supposed to do.  I am currently an entertainment writer but that I do as a side gig; I love my work but still want more. I have taken many one-day workshops, read self-help books, spoken to life coaches, attended a wellness conference and completed the CLEAR program.  The CLEAR program is one thing that brought about an ‘aha’ moment.

CLEAR (Community Leadership on the Environment Advocacy and Resiliency) Miami is a Climate Resilience Leadership program which “provides graduates with a groundwork to become climate resilience educators, leaders, and innovators in their own communities and beyond.” When I first heard about this program --- that it was 10 weeks, free dinner and project at the end -- I said, ‘oh no, not for me’.  I am not interested in climate change although I believe it is real, but after a couple weeks of being unemployed, I thought why not, it’s something to do and I may just learn something.

CLEAR is a part of Catalyst Miami which was founded by Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava as the Human Services Coalition. Its “defining role is to identify and launch innovative community building strategies.” Their vision is “A just and equitable society in which all communities thrive.” Their mission statement is, “To identify and collectively solve issues adversely affecting low-wealth communities throughout Miami-Dade County.”

CLEAR Miami has been one of the most rewarding trainings for me.  I have never thought about climate/social change but as the weeks went on I felt myself falling in love with social change. I have always been interested in helping the community and done several volunteer jobs, but CLEAR is helping me take it to the next level. 

One of its requirements is to develop a program and present it at the end of the course.  The project I am designing involves incarcerated individuals and while it is in the infancy stages, it gets more exciting as the time goes by.  It’s too early to say I’ve found the answers to my questions, but I have made great progress.  Going outside my comfort zone led me to a place I would not otherwise be unable to conceive.

If you are like me and feel that there is more to life than where you are currently be patient with yourself.  Trust the process, take the time to explore, go outside of your comfort zone, be open.  There are many books, coaches, counselors and psychologist who will help.  Choose a path that’s best for you, and as Nike says, ‘Just Do It’.  It is such a rewarding feeling to think, ‘this feels right’, or get that ‘Aha!’ moment.

Don’t settle for less.  Life is short and we only have one life to live.  Live yours!

This article first appeared in I Am Queen magazine in October 2019.

As millions across the country denounce the senseless killings of Black people at the hands of police, George Floyd among the most recent, and racial injustice in our national institutions, Catalyst Miami stands with our Black brothers and sisters in unequivocal solidarity. We are horrified by these acts of injustice – tragedies that are painfully familiar. Our Black communities have long suffered the downstream effects of racism, and most recently the disproportionate impact of COVID-19. We grieve with our Black friends, colleagues and fellow citizens; moreover, we wholeheartedly commit to turning our collective grief into action.

We will continue investing our time, energy and resources in our Black communities, who have been historically marginalized. We will keep seeking out ways to create more equity and opportunity. We will work hard to achieve policy changes that address systemic injustices and hold people of color back. And we will continue showing up and speaking out in defense of the intrinsic value of Black lives, until we are all treated with equal dignity and respect.

It’s going to take all of us to dismantle the deep-rooted racism that has existed since this country’s founding and create a more just world. We must openly and intently listen to the lived experiences of our Black brothers and sisters. And we must actively confront and challenge any racism we witness in our daily lives. The moment is now to stand up, demand change, and speak the inarguable truth that Black lives matter.

In Solidarity,
Catalyst Miami

--

A Call to Allies:

Non-Black people have a responsibility to find and act in ways that support and advance racial justice. Allies must take action to end the visible and invisible racism in our communities. Here’s a list of anti-racist resources, shared by FIU, and here is Medium's 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. Below is our list of 7 things you can do - now and long-term - most of which were shared by Paul Carrick Brunson:

1. Donate. – Check out organizations like the Minnesota Freedom Fund, who are bailing out protestors and providing supplies on the ground. Also, the National Bail Fund Network has a full directory of bail funds by state.
2. Attend a protest or march. – There are peaceful protests scheduled around the world. We understand people’s caution about taking to the streets, especially since we’re still going through a pandemic. For anyone who can do so safely, we encourage you to show up.
3. Educate yourself. – Remember to not expect or task your Black colleagues and community members to teach you right now. In addition to Paul’s top 10 reads (and videos) on U.S. and British racism, we recommend How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.
4. Vote (not just in federal elections). – At the ballot is where we can most effectively create change. Find out when your local elections are. As President Obama said, “The elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels.” Also, hold lawmakers responsible through calls.
5. Buy from Black-owned businesses. – Invest in Black-owned businesses. As Paul says, “Political power follows economic power. Not sure where to start? SBO has a directory of Black Owned Businesses.” Check out supportblackowned.com/help/faq for inspiration.
6. Make your long-term strategy. – How can you make a long-term impact or affect change? Can you mentor a young person, or volunteer? Can you support an organization that works to advance racial equity and justice? Make the effort to do something meaningful over a long period.

Looking for more ways to take action? Check out Medium's 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. 

Housing Justice is Climate Justice

WE ARE CURRENTLY FACING A HEALTH EMERGENCY

Since MARCH 2020, the COVID-19 crisis has greatly disrupted the daily life, employment, business, and health of Miami-Dade County residents. This pandemic has placed all of our citizens in harm’s way and is quickly becoming an economic crisis for many households. this emergency has and will continue to exacerbate the housing crisis that residents of South Florida have been fighting against for years.

Miami-Dade County’s low-income and working class residents need immediate assistance, as well as long-term solutions. This is not the first time Miami-Dade County has faced such a challenge, and it will not be the last. For example, due to climate change’s impacts on rising temperatures, mosquito-borne diseases will become more prevalent in South Florida. Therefore, we demand the rapid implementation of the recommendations outlined in this report.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
In July 2019, over 75 Miami-Dade County residents represented their neighborhoods at the Miami Housing & Energy Justice Congress, where over 40 demands related to neighborhood development and energy justice were voiced. This kicked off a seven month revision process collecting public feedback through community meetings. As a result, the Housing Justice in the Face of Climate Change Report was collaboratively developed by over 200 Miami-Dade County residents and stakeholders.

At its core, the Miami Climate Alliance is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to prioritize climate justice in South Florida. The Miami Climate Alliance seeks to achieve equity in resilience by building urgency around community well-being, strengthening networks of community members and organizations, raising awareness of climate change and sea level rise as threats to all forms of justice, and directly supporting those working to implement solutions in frontline neighborhoods now.

...disproportionately impact the financial wellbeing of Black and Hispanic families

Originally by JPMorgan Chase Institute

As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to ripple through households and communities, the JPMorgan Chase Institute has released new research on racial gaps in financial outcomes, as well as how families of different racial groups weather fluctuations in income. The report and accompanying academic paper highlight some of the ways in which COVID-19 may disproportionately impact the financial wellbeing of Black and Hispanic families by offering a new lens into how families respond to income fluctuations across racial groups. An accompanying Insight, also released today, further explores the report findings in light of the current COVID-19 context, as many families are now experiencing income drops and layoffs and receiving stimulus checks.

The report, developed over the past two years, leverages a novel de-identified data source — administrative banking data paired with self-reported race information for 1.8 million families in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana and shows there are large racial gaps in take-home income and liquid assets that persist across age, income, gender, and geography.

This research also offers a new lens into how families of different racial groups respond to income fluctuations, an event that is especially prevalent now due to business closures and layoffs. It also examines the impact of tax refunds on spending—a payment that could look similar to the direct payment that many American taxpayers expect to receive as a result of the federal CARES Act.

Key Findings:

1. The racial gap in financial assets makes Black and Hispanic families more vulnerable to fluctuations in income. If Black, Hispanic, and White families all had the same levels of liquid assets, we might expect to see almost no racial differences in their spending response to involuntary job loss, payroll fluctuations, or the arrival of the tax refund.

Job Loss: After involuntary job loss, Black and Hispanic families cut their everyday spending (e.g. groceries, household products) more than White families. For every dollar lost in income, Black families cut spending by 46 cents and Hispanic families cut spending by 43 cents, whereas White families cut spending by only 28 cents.

Payroll fluctuations: In a companion academic paper, we examine the path of families’ spending when their employer raises or lowers pay for all employees. In the face of employer-driven payroll changes, Black families alter consumption by 50 percent more than White families, and Hispanic families by 20 percent more than White families.

Tax Refund: Black and Hispanic families increase their spending to a greater extent when they receive a tax refund. In addition, families of all racial groups spend their tax refunds similarly in that they withdraw more cash, spend more on durables, and make larger credit card payments.

Importantly, across all three of these illustrations – involuntary job loss, payroll fluctuations, and the arrival of the tax refund—racial differences in the spending response largely disappear when we account for racial gaps in liquid assets.

2. There are large racial gaps in take-home income and liquid assets that persist across age, income, gender, and geography.

• Take-home income - For every dollar the median White family earns, the median Black family earns just 71 cents, and the median Hispanic family earns 74 cents.

• Liquid assets - Racial gaps in liquid assets are twice as large as gaps in income. For every dollar of liquid assets held by White families, the median Black family has just 32 cents, and the median Hispanic family just 47 cents. Even among families with similar incomes, for every dollar in liquid assets White families have, Black families have roughly 50 cents and Hispanic families have roughly 70 cents.

• Age - Racial gaps in liquid assets are larger for older account holders. For White families, liquid assets increase by five-fold between the ages of 18-24 and 65+. Among Black families they increase just three-fold and among Hispanic families, they actually fall with age after peaking among 35-44 year olds.

• Geography - Across Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida, financial outcomes vary the most among Hispanic families and least among Black families. Black-White gaps are largest in Louisiana, and Hispanic-White gaps are largest in Florida.

As the U.S. continues to manage the spread of COVID-19, policymakers, non-profits, and business leaders need to be especially attentive to policies that support lower-income and Black and Hispanic families who may be disproportionately impacted financially. For more, read the full report here.