Oak Life publicly acknowledges and condemns the violence towards Asian Americans and our beloved elders in Oakland, the Bay Area, and around the nation. We grieve with those harmed and grieving due to these acts of hate and stand against any actions and rhetoric that seeks to other, alienate, or disparage Asian Americans as people created in the image of God.
We also seek to recognize the ways that white supremacy attempts to divide Asian and Black communities in a time that we need to stand in solidarity. Therefore, we do not advocate for “solutions” calling for increased policing that hurt our Black siblings but rather a community based approach to care that empowers Asian and Black communities alike.
Follow these Instagram pages for more info and dialogue:
@beyonkz @aapiwomenlead @ernkimhackett @erinakimeubanks @teabuoy
Things we grieve:
Spike in Anti-Asian hate crimes in the Bay Area and across the nation
Racially motivated attacks on our elders in Oakland, SF, San Leandro, and San Jose in the last two weeks, including the death of Vicha Ratanapakdee
Over 20 attacks targeting seniors in Oakland Chinatown in January 2021
Asian Americans being wrongfully blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic (over 2100 COVID related hate crime incidents recorded between March and June 2020 alone)
Orientalism, othering and the erasure of Asian Americans throughout American history
Action:
Community Safety Moves Together Initiative: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12Re9XS3_MlazkZ6DvhAhhtJ3zjJBUiYshK-HqAAecpM/viewform?ts=60222a9d&gxids=7628&edit_requested=true
Orgs:
Oakland Chinatown Coalition
Coalition for Community Safety and Justice
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Articles: