Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in the number of hate crimes in America against the Asian American Pacfic Islander (AAPI) community. With that, having higher numbers of hate crimes against the AAPI community has left individuals to feel unsafe in their home communities.

More specifically, the elderly in the AAPI community are being targeted, and are significantly more susceptible to be a victim of a hate crime.

In order to combat and help further prevent hate crimes against the AAPI community, you can be an ally in many different ways. Demonstrations of allyship include the following: Donations to foundations combating hate crimes, staying up-to-date and well-versed in your knowledge of the AAPI community, and speaking out for victims to spread awareness. Being an advocate for diversity is especially important in today’s day and age as American citizens across the country have made a tremendous effort to voice their desire for change for equality since the beginning of the pandemic.

One of the simpler ways that you can support the AAPI community is to counteract hate crimes through donations to foundations and businesses that are run by its community members. Choosing to support AAPI-run businesses is beneficial to the community because it gives business owners the opportunity to continue to share their culture with others.

It is important to be well-versed with the events in the community to understand and be connected to the active situation. Being informed allows us to start hard conversations for growth with those who may have different perspectives or understand the situation differently. Being informed allows us to educate ourselves and others for growth towards a future where diversity is embraced and celebrated.

It is also extremely important to listen to the voices of those in the AAPI community to be able to reflect and see how we can change our actions to better become allies for equality and safety for their communities. Reach out to those in your close circle to check in on them to see how they are doing, and how you can do better to be an ally and advocate for their community.

Within our own NDB community, you can be an ally for our students, teachers, and staff. Supporting our peers during this time is especially important to make those in the AAPI community continuously feel like NDB is a safe and supportive place that celebrates diversity.

Link to list of places to help the Asian community: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html