A spotlight on AAPI solidarity, past and present, how racist policies fights against an inclusive economy, and stories from our our AAPI team members
** AAPI Solidarity, Heritage, and an Inclusive Economy
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● May 2022
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Steph Hsu, Strategic Operations Manager
Dear John,
I was once asked, in my early twenties, if I ever wanted to be white as a child. After some reflection, I realized that I had not wanted to be white—I believed that whiteness was something that could be achieved. I had adopted a color blindness towards my own Taiwanese heritage in order to fit into a largely white, Midwestern environment.
One year ago, I stood alongside my fellow AAPI community in Baltimore—in horror and grief—as we mourned the loss of Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Suncha Kim, 69; Yong Ae Yue, 63; Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; and Paul Andre Michels, 54 in Atlanta. I watched as our collective grief turned to anger, hurt, and questions of belonging. As cases of violence against AAPI women and elders continue to be simultaneously publicized, yet minimized, the steady fuel of frustration leads to a single point that has never before been clearer: the liberation we seek is interconnected.
We work in the space of trying to eliminate the racial wealth gap, and one of the reasons we're exploring this topic is unpack how racist narratives affect our economic outcomes. Asian immigrants are seen as having enjoyed relative economic success in the past 70 years in America, yet little time is spent examining how America flipped a switch around the end of WWII, uplifting Asians—as the country courted Cold War allies—and that Asians prospered only once the crushing weight of racist regulations were lifted.
This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we explore not just thelegacy of anti-Asian ([link removed]) stereotypes and legislation, but also how white supremacy has strategically terrorized Asians into submission, lionized their economic success — and then pitted them against Black and Latine people. We will explore the solidarity, past and present, ([link removed]) of AAPI and other BIPOC communities. And of course, we will hear f ([link removed]) rom our own AAPI team members ([link removed]) and partners in the work.
* Reflections on Asian American and Pacific Islander Identities ([link removed])
* Breaking Down the Model Minority Myth ([link removed])
* A Legacy of Cross-Racial Solidarity ([link removed])
We do all of this in pursuit of a shared goal: to bring to light the histories that we share. To borrow a phrase from Yuri Kochiyama, consciousness is power. May we hold these stories as a foundation to our work as we continue to forge our paths together.
With gratitude,
● Introducing: The Common Future Action Lab
Common Future and the WES Mariam Assefa Fun ([link removed]) d ([link removed]) are thrilled to be partnering to launch our first Action Lab focused on participatory investing. The Action Lab is a 12-month learning and action initiative in which funders will learn about, experiment with, and co-create new models and strategies for participatory investing within their own institutions and through a collaborative fund. Learn more ([link removed])
We hope you’ll take this time to reflect with us and share what we’re doing to create a more inclusive economy. Like the stories you read? Share them with your network on social and be sure to tag @commonfutureco ([link removed]) .
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