ACT Now Statement on Events of March 16, 2021
ACT Now stands with the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community and condemns the rise in anti-AAPI violence that has surged since the beginning of the pandemic and the devastating events in Georgia last week. It is with a heavy heart that we write to you, our members, for the third time in less than a year condemning acts of violence in our county. However, we think it is important to continue to make our stance on issues of hate and violence very clear and also reach out to the afterschool community to offer support as you are an essential support network in protecting our youth from bullying, hate, and violence.
A few points we want to underscore:
- We must stand with and support our AAPI colleagues, communities, and youth.
- Anti-AAPI hate should be a part of our antiracism work.
- Referring to the Coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” or “Kung flu” is hate speech. The prevalence of these phrases in mainstream media is harmful to our youth and their families and promotes bullying.
- There is a long-held American history of using Asian Americans as scapegoats for diseases. Further, this rise in hate is not new and isolated, and to address this hate we must acknowledge that history.
We have included resources in regards to this work in the resources section of this newsletter. I encourage you all to take an active role in this work. One small step I am taking personally is participating in a training on bystander intervention for anti-Asian hate. ACT Now welcomes you to reach out to discuss these events and share resources with us as well.
In Solidarity,
Susan Stanton, Network Lead
Illinois ACT Now Coalition
ACT Now: Anti Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate Resources
ACT Now has compiled a list of resources on Anti-AAPI hate and violence. We will continue to share resources with our membership.
- Stop AAPI Hate: A resource to report hate incidents.
- A Different Asian American Timeline: A resource that provides a multi-faceted explanation of Asian American history to help you better understand the broader context of racism.
- Video Lesson on Anti-AAPI Hate: Video, lesson plan, and discussion questions for discussing anti-AAPI hate with young people.
- Classroom Resources and Tips to Address Anti-Asian Discrimination
- Anti-Asian Violence Resources and Statistics
Education Week Article: Anti-Asian Violence – What Schools Should Start Doing About It
Education Week has published an article with suggestions and strategies for school districts attempting to address the topic of violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (APPI) with students. The article also hosts information pertinent to supporting AAPI youth in afterschool programs and hosting difficult discussions. To read the article, click here.
Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development: Resources to Help Navigate These Hard Times
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has compiled a list of resources for program providers and caretakers to utilize with children and youth when speaking about mass and race-based violence.
