Whose Side Are You On? Why We Need Solidarity from Asian American/Pacific Islanders in the Fight for Racial Justice
- Michelle J. Boike (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Why are Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPI) not represented in racial justice movements? Whose side are AAPIs on? This session will critically analyze how systemic racism has caused AAPIs to internalize the overt and covert acts of racism that they face. This has created a phenomenon in which AAPIs do not view themselves as people of color and as a result, there is a lack of action/political consciousness towards racial justice work, specifically as it relates to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. This session will also explore how AAPIs who do move in solidarity have been silenced or whose narratives have been made invisible. This session will utilize tenets from Critical Race Theory and various AAPI identity development models to examine why AAPIs should move in solidarity with current racial justice movements. Participants will learn more about how a history of systemic racism has affected the development of AAPIs identities as people of color. Participants will learn about current AAPI student activism, engage in a meaningful dialogue about how to support and move in solidarity, and challenge racist ideologies and assumptions that prevent AAPIs from engaging in racial justice. This session should be of interest to administrators, faculty, staff, students, and all those concerned with learning more about AAPI identity and uniting the AAPI communities’ involvement with racial justice work.
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