Supporting AAPI Heritage and Future

As AAPI Heritage Month came and went this year, I’ve never felt less certain about how to proceed. After over two years of racialized violence and hatred against people across the Asian diaspora in America, it’s hard to see how we could turn the tide. From the horrific shooting in the subway at Sunset Park—sometimes called “Brooklyn’s Chinatown”—to the first rise of the #StopAsianHate movement and the activism and solidarity shown by Asian American activists for decades, I keep asking the question: where do we go from here? 

I don’t have a perfect answer for you or myself. I don’t need to tell you we’re living in a messed-up, overwhelming world right now. For as dire as things can seem, though, I always find strength in community. I put my faith in my fellow humans. That’s why I know that we—myself included—can do better. 

Many a Canva infographic has been shared on this subject already. If you’re reading this willingly, you’ve probably read all the same think pieces and Twitter threads I have. When was the last time, though, that you actually... did something with that information?  

I'll admit I haven’t done my due diligence, haven’t attended community events or donated to the cause yet. I feel like I’ve been complacent lately, assuaging myself with the occasional retweet or “share to my Instagram story.” It does not feel like enough. As writer and actor Sara Li put it:  

While we can and should do these things, many of us are guilty of stopping at the easy part, myself certainly included. It’s easy to shop, follow and celebrate. It takes a lot more effort and commitment to actually build the conditions that would address the xenophobic, anti-Asian sentiments rooted in American life. Though every individual person can’t advocate for every single cause, these issues intersect in so many ways, from Asian solidarity with Black Lives Matter to prominent Asian-American disability activists. The more we can understand, the better we can advocate for everyone. 

Yes, you should shop Asian-owned businesses—and support legislation that makes it safer and easier for them to earn a living. You should follow Asian creators and you should listen when they call for mutual aid, or ask you to read up on things like the model minority myth or Asian-American history.  

I imagine there would be a lot more Asian joy to celebrate if more people challenged their assumptions and fought policies that harm AAPI communities.

I’m going to share a few AAPI thought leaders with you, but I highly encourage you to do so much more than a simple follow, like and subscribe. That’s why I’ve also included links to some of the causes and resources they are eager to share with you.  

Royal Sumikat (she/they) 

Royal is a Philippines-born visual artist and muralist based in Houston, known locally for her vibrant murals and her leadership around community and spirituality.  

• Follow her Instagram and check out her portfolio, for starters. 
• Watch our IG Live interview with Royal about Ancestral Roots, Art and Storytelling. 
• Check out their Top 5 things to do in Houston. 
• Listen to her on the Gravy podcast, where she talks about their exhibit based on the iconic Filipino balikbayan boxes. 

Jezz Chung (they/them) 

Jezz Chung is a writer, model, multimedia storyteller and public speaker based in NYC who focuses on inclusion, life with neurodivergence and personal transformation. 

• Their stellar Instagram and website light a creative fire in me. 
• Read their thoughts and reflections in the wake of the subway shootings in Sunset Park.  
• Sign up for their lifestyle newsletter, Liberated Luxury, if you’re a fan of understanding justice, life, love and community. 
• Check out their Amplify AAPI Voices Google Doc, filled with resources and readings for understanding how AAPI experiences intersect with Black liberation, disability and more.  
• Finally, we suggest their essay in i-D on self-expression as part of their mental health journey. 

Alok Vaid-Menon (they/them) 

Alok Vaid-Menon is an activist, artist, speaker and author who explores the fluidity of beauty, gender and expression in a multitude of mediums. 

• Their Instagram and website are a few of their many works of art. 
• Listen (and be ready to feel things!) to Alok’s podcast appearances on LGBTQ&A and Man Enough. 
• Check out their GoodReads for hundreds of stellar book recommendations. 
• Support the #MoreForMentalHealth website and take action.  
• Take a moment to honor and read about Urvashi Vaid, Alok’s aunt and a legendary activist for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Tiffany Yu (she/hers) 

Tiffany Yu is an entrepreneur, disability activist, content creator and CEO of Diversability, a group that amplifies disabled voices and democratizes disability visibility, representation, and access. 

• Her Instagram truly fulfills her goal of being the representation she couldn’t find. 
• If you’re on TikTok, we highly recommend her #AntiAbleism series. 
• Check out Diversability’s page with resources for becoming a better ally to people with disabilities. 
• Support her content creation and get the inside scoop by joining her Patreon. 
• Take a listen to her podcast Tiffany & Yu for even more intersectional learning. 

Photographer credits:

Jezz Chung photo: @thejayblacks
Tiffany Yu photo: @samanthatylerrr
ALOK photo: @celestesloman