An Asian American Guide to Dismantling Anti-Blackness

So, you want to begin fighting anti-Black racism? Here’s how to start.

By Jane Kim

When hate crimes, microaggressions, and anti-Asian racism spiked in the age of COVID-19, I observed an awakening among many Asian Americans. More Asian Americans were seeing how racist our society actually is. The image of the America they thought they knew shattered, along with their perceived place in it. “Yellow Peril” suddenly became personal. 

People began to share stories of their own encounters with anti-Asian racism. Asian-owned businesses suffered. Overtly racist and xenophobic rhetoric came from not only our neighbors but our nation’s leaders. Soon, swaths of Asian Americans began to realize racism doesn’t just happen in interpersonal interactions; it is deeply systemic and woven into this country’s very existence. 

Then, as delayed news of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder spread, I noticed that more Asian Americans in my circles started speaking up and using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. Some shared about Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd. Those who had never discussed the previous numerous injustices against & murders of Black people were bringing attention to recent events and sharing calls to action. 

Having experienced pushback on my past sharing on race and racism, I’ve long desired for more Asian Americans to proactively engage in anti-racism work, including expanding Black and Asian solidarity. It has felt quite lonely at times. But the recent increase in Asian Americans’ and Asian American Christians’ engagement has been encouraging. 

I began receiving messages from people wanting to talk, asking questions about what to do and where to even begin. Once they saw how deeply and widely racism, specifically anti-Black racism, is rooted in our society, they couldn’t unsee it. 

So, where do we go from here? What do we need to keep in mind as Asian Americans who want to embark on the lifelong journey to being anti-racist and fighting racism, especially when it comes to anti-Blackness?

Here are some things I have learned and continue to practice:

• Acknowledge and repent of the deeply embedded anti-Blackness in ourselves and our communities. Then dismantle it. 

Anti-Blackness has been deeply embedded in Asian and Asian American communities for a long time. Asian Americans have historically been used as a racial wedge between white Americans and African Americans. The model minority myth, constructed out of white supremacy and anti-Blackness, is a tool used to legitimize racism against Black people, while pitting communities of color against each other. 

We, Asian Americans, have been weaponized as tools for white supremacy—and when we stay silent, we are complicit. In the recent murder of George Floyd, an Asian cop stood by, ignoring the repeated cries of “I can’t breathe” of a Black man as a white cop asphyxiated him with his knee on his neck. Complicity has irreparable and dire consequences. We must refuse to be used for injustice, and instead pursue justice. We are capable of--and need to--stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters; we cannot idly watch them suffer. 

• Be mindful if and when sharing trauma.

Humanity is not dependent on virality. The value of one’s life is not based on how viral one’s death becomes; humans have inherent dignity and worth, and we should treat them as such. 

Technology and social media have helped many concealed stories see the light of day, but it has also caused more unnecessary trauma and desensitization to violence against Black people. Be mindful of your audience when sharing something, especially graphic footage of violence against Black bodies. 

Before you share, consider: Is sharing an image or video really necessary to decry the injustice? Are you able to make or share another graphic with the message you want to get across? Would you share the graphic brutalization of anyone else? Why do we easily and quickly share the brutalization of Black bodies? 

Footage of another’s suffering is not material for our education. Instead of being quick to objectify, make the conscious effort to humanize people. This will lead us to more love.

• Engage even when there is no performative component.

When there’s no organized event with a hashtag or no selfie to post, still engage. Still spread knowledge and raise awareness. Do the work that doesn’t necessarily get documented. Challenge friends and family members to repent of and uproot their anti-Blackness. It will not be easy, but it is imperative. This is a lifelong journey until God brings forth true and complete justice. When you share content, be conscious of who is being centered. Is it you and what you did? Or are you centering Black people and amplifying their voices, their stories, and their needs?

• Listen to diverse Black voices (when and if they choose to share).

We need to listen to Black voices. We need to lean in and learn. However, it is not the job of Black people to teach us about anti-Blackness, racism, injustice, history, and their suffering. Do not message Black people to solicit answers to your questions.

Instead, listen to and read the words of those who have already shared and continue to share--even as they grieve. Do your own research (i.e. buy books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, join Patreon or other learning communities, etc.). 

Keep in mind that no singular person is representative of their community. We cannot have one person, one social media account, or one news outlet be our sole source of information. Seek out the voices of people who have different views and perspectives. Listen to and learn from many different Black voices, especially those of Black women. 

• Actively learn and unlearn.

We need to commit to lifelong learning and unlearning. There are many things we were taught growing up that we need to unlearn, including whitewashed history and implicit biases. We have to actively do the work of decolonizing our minds. 

In order to unlearn, we also need to learn. We need to educate ourselves on what we don’t know. When in doubt, Google it. You’ll be able to find a plethora of resources that match your learning style (e.g. books, audiobooks, podcasts, lectures, classes, videos, social media accounts, various forms of art, etc.). Vet your research with trusted sources. Learn history. Learn about the inequities, injustices, disparities, racist policies, and the facets of systemic racism that plague this land. Unlearn what has blurred us from seeing the full humanity of our neighbors.

• Don’t just passively listen. Act. Vote.

Heed and respond to calls to action. Contact those in office and in power. Demand justice. Amplify messages that need to be amplified. Engage in politics. Our housing, schools, healthcare, community resources (e.g. grocery stores, organizations, parks, etc.)—every aspect of our lives here is impacted by policies and politics. If you are able, vote and proactively seek change that uplifts and betters your neighbors, especially those who are marginalized.

• Be in community.

It is important not to be in isolation or in an echo chamber. Seek out people you can trust to continuously engage with as you learn, unlearn, repent, pray, weep, lament, and take action. We were not created to be in isolation; we grow in community.

Surround yourself with people who create safe and gracious spaces to explore, make mistakes, receive correction, seek truth, and continue to grow. This journey won’t be easy, but having a community makes it manageable.  Be mindful not to tokenize friendships but truly invest in relationships with people. Also, be willing to do the work to bring others into community with you. 

• Actively and visibly stand in solidarity with the Black community. 

Our struggles are not the same; however, the root of our oppression is in white supremacy. When white supremacy pits us against each other, let’s rise above that and be in community together. 

We, as Asian Americans, need to remember that the benefits and rights we have in this country are because of the sacrifices, struggles, activism, and leadership of African Americans. We cannot and should not fight oppression alone. We are connected in more ways than we think. May we not turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. 

Pray with and for our Black brothers and sisters. Lament and cry out in prayer. Check in on their well-being or let them know that you are grieving with them, praying for them, and coupling your words with action. Look up calls to action. Raise awareness. Talk to your non-Black friends and family. Invest in Black businesses and organizations. There are many things we can do without burdening grieving people. 

There is so much more we need to do to seek justice on earth. Above all, look, pray, and lament to our God—a God of justice. We may grow weary along the journey, but do not be discouraged. We are walking humbly with our God who “will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth” (Isaiah 42:4, ESV). Along the way, he will surely encourage you with his presence and that of his people.

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Jane Kim is an educator born, raised, and based in Queens, NY, who is passionate about issues of culture, social justice, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She earned her BS in human development from Cornell University, and both her MA as a reading specialist and her EdM in education of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing from Teachers College, Columbia University. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram.