Examining Anti-Asian Racism + Xenophobia: A Current and Historical Conversation
Event Description:
Increasing attacks and discrimination towards Asian individuals and groups are at the center of a rising national dialogue about anti-Asian racism. As the globe passes the one-year marker of the COVID-19 pandemic violent incidents and unmasked vitriol towards people of Asian descent across the country has rapidly increased.
Anti-Asian racism has a long history in Canada and includes policies of systemic racism and violence such as the Japanese internment camps, the Chinese Head Tax, and “Yellow Peril” sentiments. Since the onset of COVID-19, anti-Asian racism has been on the rise, with stereotyping, violence, and discriminatory spreading of misinformation about Asian communities.
The pandemic has (re)exposed the sentiments that live beneath the surface and have existed for a long time, perpetuating systems of oppression and injustice.
Panelists will include individuals and organizations who are making calls to action to end anti-Asian racism in our communities and beyond. Join the conversation. Learn. Unlearn. Act.
Moderator:
Dr. Benjamin Cheung
Dr. Benjamin Cheung is a Lecturer and Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia.
Featured Speakers:
Project 1907 Representative
Project 1907 is a grassroots group made up of Asian women aiming to elevate Asian voices that are underrepresented and undervalued in mainstream political, social and cultural discourse. Named after 1907—the year that an anti-immigration rally exploded into 3 days of violence and vandalism in Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown, with white banners labelled “For a White Canada”—this project provides spaces for diasporic Asians for healing by recognizing, reclaiming and reframing their histories.
Danica Rint
Danica is the External Outreach Coordinator of Sliced Mango Collective, an organization whose collective values include bringing a sense of belonging and providing a space for Filipinx youth to connect with each other and celebrate their culture and identity. Recently, they launched the #SliceofSupport campaign, where they organized alongside other community organizations in response to a rezoning proposal from the City of Vancouver that would displace businesses that are mainstays of the Filipinx community in Vancouver. Moving forward, they hope to use their platform to help amplify issues the FIlipinx community faces and bring about positive change.
Butterfly Representative
Butterfly is a network formed by sex workers, social workers, legal and health professionals. It provides support to, and advocates for, the rights of Asian and migrant sex workers. The organization is founded upon the belief that sex workers are entitled to respect and basic human rights. Butterfly asserts that, regardless of their immigration status, Asian and migrant sex workers should be treated like all other workers.
