Graphics by Kalaya'an Mendoza, co-founder of Across Frontlines

Dear Community,

We are grateful for the privilege to create spaces and opportunities for Asian Pacific Islander artists and cultural workers. As we have the opportunity to celebrate our art and culture, we stand in solidarity with the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, along with their families and communities. It is important for our community to recognize the historical violence and injustice inflicted upon black, brown and indigenous communities and call ourselves in to dismantle racist and oppressive systems. While there will always be much more to do, every act of engagement can open up possibilities to create a more just world. As non-black people of color we must take ownership of our participation in working towards anti-racism, in support of Black Lives Matter.

Organizations like our own, dedicated to the creation and celebration of art by Asian Pacific Americans, would not have been conceived without the revolutionary ideas of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement. The necessary tradition of collective consciousness shows we have the creative tools to uplift our communities for a more just and equitable future through art and storytelling. We use art and culture to honor our heritage and part of that heritage is entwined in our solidarity with Black liberation. 

We encourage our communities to continue envisioning a creative ecosystem that breaks down the structures which divide us. Looking to examples like the Third World Liberation Front, Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, #Asians4BlackLives and many more, we must actively listen and support the needs of Black communities. Please take a moment to read and contribute to the actions, references and resources below.

APA Arts Organizations signed onto this letter:
Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center
Asian Improv aRts
Kearny Street Workshop
Asian American Women Artists Association
Bindlestiff Studio

Ways to Contribute

Support Victims' Families 

• George Floyd Memorial Fund
• GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor 
• GoFundMe for Ahmaud Arbery
• GoFundMe for TonyMcDade

Donate to Organizations & Resources for Black Communities in Minneapolis

• Black Visions Collective - Black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization
• Reclaim the Block - grassroots organization fighting for violence prevention, housing, youth resources, and mental health response
• Minnesota Freedom Fund - local organization helping bail out protestors
• NAACP Minneapolis
• Black Immigrants Collective
• Black Lives Matter Minnesota
  
  

Coalition of Asian American Leaders in Minnesota 

• Unity & Solidarity for George Floyd - Individuals and organizations can sign on
  
  

Contribute to Bay Area Resources

• Anti-Police Terror Project
• People's Breakfast Oakland
  
• Black Earth Farms - delivering free food to Black people who have been arrested, bailed, injured or traumatized during Oakland uprisings
• SoOakland - Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses
• Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee
  
• Showing Up for Racial Justice Bay Area
• Silicon Valley De-Bug
  
  

Black and Asian American Solidarity References & Resources

• Letters for Black Lives
• Black Lives Matter Translated
• Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
• 1993 Yuri Kochiyama presentation on Malcom X, Asian and Black history in the Americas (Recorded by Bob Hsiang)
• South Asians and Black Lives (Medium article by Deepa Iyer)
• Unmasking Yellow Peril
• “What It Means to Make Art as an Asian American in the Pandemic” (KQED Article by Eda Yu, offers brief history of Asian American protest art)
• Tou Thao and the Myths of Asian American Solidarity
  
  

More Tools & Resources

• Color of Change
• Brave Space Alliance (Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center in Chicago)
• Communities United Against Police Brutality
• 26 Ways to be in the Struggle: Beyond the Streets
• #SMS4BLM Social Media Solidarity for Black Lives Matter