Anti-Racism Resources: May 2023 — Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Compiled by Trevor Kezon, Director of Volunteerism
Each month, we will feature educational resources on the NAAFA Community Voices Blog to support our community in taking action to combat racism. Some resources will be historic information about systemic racism. Others will be resources on doing the internal work of understanding ourselves and how we play a part in that system.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this edition of NAAFA’s anti-racism resources, we focus on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: history of Asian Americans; contributions made; some things you can do to break the cycle of racism and violence against our AAPI family, friends, and neighbors.
Diversify the media you consume
Take some time this May to read books or watch shows and movies from AAPI writers, actors, and filmmakers. The New York Public Library has an Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Reading List, and Esquire has gathered a list of 12 Films that Celebrate AAPI Heritage.
Follow AAPI Orgs
Consider following one of these AAPI non-profits on social media, and consider making a donation to fund their work. By following them or setting up a recurring donation, you can continue to educate yourself and support the work these organizations are doing even when AAPI heritage month is over.
Listen
Listen to your AAPI friends, family, and community, especially when it comes to their experiences around how fatness is different for them. Here are some great essays from AAPI fat folx sharing stories about how their identities intersect.
Reflections on Growing Up Fat and Chinese-American Amy Rios-Richardson (NAAFA)
Where Do Fat Asian Americans Fit into the Body Positivity Movement? by Jennifer Chen (Shutterstock)
Yes, Fat Asians Exist — And I’m One of Them By Jenn Melyan (HuffPo)
Tips to deal with fat-shaming in an Asian family BY Candy Ho (Cold Tea Collective)
Take Action
Right To Be offers free online bystander intervention training year-round on a variety of topics. Consider signing up for their Bystander Intervention: How to be an Ally When You Witness Online Abuse on May 16th at 4pm ET or Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment on May 24th at 2pm ET.
Follow Fat AAPI Folx
Take some time to diversify your social media. The Curvy Fashionista has a round up of 8 Asian American And Pacific Islander Plus Size Influencers and Activists You Need To Know. You can also check out some of NAAFA's past roundups on our blog or scroll back through our Instagram to AAPI Heritage Month 2022.