Episode 08: Addressing The Recent Anti-Asian Attacks

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

On this episode of Momentum, Chevon is joined by Dennis Chin, Race Forward’s Director of Strategic Initiatives for an important conversation around the recent/ ongoing anti-Asian attacks happening across the nation.

To root the conversation, Dennis shares his background in racial justice work, his experience recently having been targeted and accosted himself, and his experience working with Race Forward’s AAPI Caucus in crafting a statement after last month’s horrific acts of violence in Atlanta.

Chevon and Dennis share some examples relating to the history of anti-Asian racism in the United States, the history and complexities of how Asian immigrant communities and Asian-Americans have been positioned in America, and how narratives like the “Chinavirus” (in reference to COVID-19) and the “model minority myth” are harmful and can lead to the proliferation of racist acts of violence.

Lastly, Dennis and Chevon discuss the tensions that arise/exist between BIPOC communities that are a result of white supremacy and patriarchal systems at work, the conversations that are needed to dismantle these systems, and naming on the ground organizations that are directly addressing anti-Asian violence.

It is our hope that this episode helps ground you for the important work there is still to do over the next few months and years–– and like our hosts said “there is room for everybody in this fight”.

We’re excited to announce that Dennis will be back to co-host with Chevon the last two episodes of Season 2 of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, and we’re looking forward to having you listen in!

Resources (by order of mention)

Race Forward Decries Hate Violence Against Asian Americans In Atlanta And Across The Country
https://bit.ly/39SpIRQ

Here's what we know about the metro Atlanta spa shootings that left 8 dead (via CNN)
https://cnn.it/3d3oXaN

A woman's brutal attack exposed a torrent of anti-Asian violence after the Atlanta shootings (via CNN)
https://cnn.it/2OABrx6

Asian Americans Advancing Justice
https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/

Oakland Chinatown Coalition

www.facebook.com/chinatowncoalition

Yang Song And The Long History Of Targeting Asian American Sex Workers (via Hyphen Magazine)
https://bit.ly/3muYrK8

Red Canary Song
https://www.redcanarysong.net/

Jeff’s Chang’s We Gon’ Be Alright –– The Digital Series
http://bealright.net/

The Life of Afong Moy, the First Chinese Woman in America (via Literary Hub)
https://bit.ly/3rZDN67

The Accidental American by Rinku Sen (via Goodreads)
https://bit.ly/3uy4DUM

Freedom INC.
https://freedom-inc.org/

Hollaback!
https://www.ihollaback.org

Safewalks NYC
www.instagram.com/safewalksnyc

CAAAV –– Organizing Asian Communities

https://caaav.org/

About Race Forward:

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

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Executive Producers:

Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore

Associate Producer/ Editor:

Kendy Solis