How can we, as individuals, as a community, rise up to eradicate racism?

Updated: 4-20-2021

How can we, as individuals, as a community, rise up to eradicate racism?

We start on the inside. We all need to continue to look inside at our own biases because it is within ourselves that we must first demolish the beliefs that make us feel lesser than and make us look at other people as lesser than – what are we holding against others from the moment we see them? 

Recognizing our own shortcomings is incredibly difficult, but to make change happen we must look within and take the next right action. 

Injustice is dominating the headlines and our social media feeds and it makes it seem as though the dream of justice is only that, a dream. But it’s imperative that we cultivate our belief in taking the next right action.

We can catch and question our everyday judgments about people: Is this thought true? Is this thought bringing me closer to people or farther away? 

If the answer is “no” and “away” we can say: “I forgive this thought and I choose again.” 

We can take a deep belly breath and choose a positive thought about that person, “she’s great at chess”; “he loves playing football with his little girl”; “she adores her grandchildren.”

We can then reflect on our original judgment and open ourselves to empathy, and empathy opens the door to change. And change, well, that’s why we’re here. Isn’t it?

We hurt deeply for Daunte Wright, George Floyd, Adam Toledo, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng, for their families, communities, and all people of color and allies experiencing trauma because of their killings. This list in no way encompasses every life taken by systemic racism and misogyny.

Today, some of us will celebrate holding George Floyd's murderer accountable. Others of us will see that this is not enough. True justice is a system in which human life is held in the highest regard, a system that embraces diversity, a system that acknowledges and moves to rectify its own shortcomings.

Below you’ll find a list of organizations where you can lend your support to our Asian community and to Daunte Wright’s family and community, and a mental health resource should you need it. 

We know that words are not enough, but silence is not the answer either, and we believe transformation starts within. We're in this together, until justice becomes the new normal.

Lend Your Support to Our Black and Asian Communities
Stop Hate Crimes Against Our Asian Sisters and Elders
Donate and learn more about supporting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationally, in Atlanta, and in California.

• stopaapihate.org
• advancingjustice-atlanta.org
• aaci.org

Black Lives Matter
Donate and learn more to fight systemic racism plaguing our Black community.

• Support Daunte Wright’s family and the Brooklyn Center community
• Sign up for ways you can fight racial injustice with Color of Change
• Donate to National Bail Funds Project communityjusticeexchange.org/national-bail-fund-network

Mental Health Resource
NAMI Helpline
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
M–F, 7 am  to 5 pm PT for free mental health info, referrals and support.