Resources for Compassion in Action: standing against anti-AAPI Hate
Following the recent surge of harassment and violence directed at AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Communities, this list of resources and ways to engage has been compiled by sangha members, including people directly involved in working with these issues in their local communities.
This is not a prescriptive list. It was put together to offer constructive ideas that might align with Buddhist ethics, and that could be antidotes to horrified anxiety, the near enemy of compassion.
We wish to express gratitude to the San Francisco Zen Center and to others in the sangha for aiding us in compiling these resources and ideas.
Compassion in Action: What can we do?
Reach out and Listen
Check in with AAPI family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues. They may or may not want to talk about it, but let them know you care.
One AAPI member of our community has shared that: “[people in the sangha] can be aware that this might impact AAPI friends in their lives. They could write a short note expressing ‘l care’ and awareness without requiring a response. The silence is deafening and further isolating.”
Give space to the AAPI members of Triratna to express their experience and needs in sangha contexts, in whatever way they wish.
Educate
About What is Happening
National report from STOP AAPI HATE (US focus)
The Atlanta Shootings Fit Into a Long Legacy of Anti-Asian Violence in America, Time.
Anti-Asian violence is on the rise in the U.S. and Canada, The Globe and Mail
Anti-Asian hate crimes are surging in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
La discriminación, virus mexicano, ataca a las personas con COVID-19 y de rasgos asiáticos
Ethnic Disparities and Inequality in the UK among ESEA communities, Jan 2021 report
It's time we stopped downplaying the UK's anti-Asian racism, by Zing Tsjengm
Asian women are uniquely vulnerable to violence, by Harmeet Kaur, CNN
From Exotic to Invisible: Asian American Womens' Experiences of Discrimination, APA report
About History
The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S., PBS
America’s long history of scapegoating its Asian citizens, National Geographic
Excellent PBS Documentary: “Asian Americans”
The history of attacks against Asian Americans is complicated, by Harmeet Kaur, CNN
The Asian American Response to Black Lives Matter Is Part of a Long, Complicated History, Time Magazine
We also invite you to learn more about Buddhism in the Americas through an AAPI lens, its history and contemporary vitality, which intersects with the experience of racism and colonialism. Some resources include:
American Sutra, A Story of Faith and Freedom in the Second World War, by Duncan Ryūken Williams (about Buddhist life in the Japanese concentration camps in the United States)
Be the Refuge, Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists, by Chenxing Han
We’ve Been Here All Along By Funie Hsu, Lion’s Roar
The Angry Asian Buddhist, archived blog of the late Aaron J. Lee (1983–2017)
Agitate
In the spirit of Dr. Ambedkar, “agitate” might include all kinds of actions that help to raise awareness and arouse maitri.
Express solidarity and concern publically.
Raise awareness and visibility might involve sharing information about this violence and discussing how we can be part of the solution.
Watch “We are dying to be heard” (Video), Interview with Amanda Nguyen.
Al Jazeera interview with 3 AAPI Anti-Racist Organizers.
If you are able and can do so safely, consider joining local non-violent protests and marches. Many are being coordinated by interfaith organizations and Buddhist coalitions, which is also an opportunity to build stronger connections to the larger Buddhist community in your area.
Hold a puja to honor and remember victims of anti-Asian hate crimes. You might read out the names of those killed and injured. Here is how to pronounce some of their names.
Lead a meditation for peace and solidarity. You might include in a Karuna Bhavana the first-hand accounts of these incidents. You might include poems by AAPI poets.
Invite people to offer a Dharma reflection or talk on these issues, if they wish. Here is an example from Rev. Koyama from the Tacoma Buddhist Temple (WA).
Join efforts of AAPI-led organizations calling for an end to violence and the establishment of policies and programs that better support AAPI communities and address root causes.
Organize
Train in Bystander Intervention to learn how to interrupt hate and help report incidents. You can do this alone or perhaps organize a group of sangha friends to do it together, and then discuss and support each other in putting it into practice.
5Ds of Bystander Intervention – with gratitude to the San Francisco Zen Center.
Register here for free 1 hour training IHollaBack Training.
Consider supporting national organizations in the U.S. such as Hate is a virus, Act To Change, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Stop AAPI Hate or the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.
Support AAPI-owned businesses.
The Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta advocacy group has listed specific requests for support at this time, including
1) signing on to their community-centered response
2) donating to the victims of the violent acts and their families
3) sharing resources you can offer to those impacted community members, and community organizations involved in crisis response, such as “mental health services (counseling, healing), other medical services, immigration legal services, interpretation or translation in Asian languages, victim advocacy/case management, assistance with fundraising for victims and their families, childcare, and/or food assistance.”
Further Resources from Buddhist organizations and Buddhist press
Tricycle Magazine
https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/aapi-hate/
https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/anti-asian-violence/
https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/huong-tich-temple/
Lions Roar
https://www.lionsroar.com/anti-asian-violence-is-an-attack-on-us-all/