#StopAAPIHate: 5 Ways to Provide Allyship For Our Asian Communities
[Header image credit: Canva]
By Veronica Appleton, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, TMA and Devin O’Loughlin, Global Chairperson, Omnicom OPEN Pride
A growing number of anti-Asian hate incidents have been committed over the past year. Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Stop AAPI Hate, a U.S. coalition focused on addressing anti-Asian discrimination amid the pandemic, has received over 2,800 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate. These acts include physical and verbal assaults, especially against the elderly, youth, and women.
It’s important to note, these incidents are not isolated. The heightened xenophobia and race-related assaults have resulted in death, trauma, and a sense of fear across communities. However, this is not a U.S. only issue. A growing number of hate incidents have occurred across Canada, the United Kingdom, and other locations where the Asian diaspora exists.
At TMA, we stand with each of our Asian American & Pacific Islander employees. We champion every employee to provide allyship and support where they can during this time. Provided below are five ways to do so.
First, remember that inclusive language matters.
As allies, do not call COVID-19 anything other than what it is – COVID-19 (or Coronavirus). If you hear someone call it something derogatory, or inappropriately tied it to the Asian community, correct them.
Second, stay educated, get involved, and amplify Asian voices.
Below are some resources you can tap into to help educate yourself, receive information in real-time and support voices and causes:
Local and National Organizations
- Ad Club of NY x Asian Community (New York City)
- @AAPIWomenLead (Global)
- @stopaapihate (Global)
- @CCEDLA (Los Angeles)
- @HateIsAVirus (Oakland)
- @aafederation (New York City)
- @sfcma (San Francisco)
- @OCA-DFW (Dallas)
- @NAACPChicago (Chicago)
Activists
Influencers to Follow
Third, report crimes.
In addition to immediately contacting your local authorities, you can report crimes here:
Fourth, stand with your Asian American family and friends.
Below are some local organizations through which you can tangibly, physically, support your Asian American community:
- New York City: Volunteer with Heart of Dinner to deliver meals to the elderly Asian community or with SafeWalx to escort someone.
- Bay Area: Volunteer with Compassion in Oakland to chaperone an Asian American or request a chaperone.
- Los Angeles: Support Little Tokyo by donating a meal, shopping online, or buying takeout.
- Dallas: Volunteer with JAS and help bring greater connectivity between cultures.
- Everywhere: Check in on someone you know. Asking something as simple as “How are you feeling about this?” or “How can I support you?” can go a long way.
Finally, donate.
If you can’t take physical action, here is a list of 45 organizations across the country where you can donate to show your support. TMA will donate to Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which is a national Civil Rights organization working to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans.
While these resources and calls to action speak to life outside of our four walls, it is important to reiterate that racism, bias, and discrimination, of any kind, toward anyone, is not tolerated at TMA.
We stand beside and support the AAPI community and our employees. We will continue to talk, share resources, take actions, and create a safe space for all. Racism is racism.
