Helpful Resources As You Seek to Understand, Empathize, and Support the AAPI Community 

Authored and compiled by Director of Diversity, Equity, and Student Life Toni Cross

On March 16, there was a series of mass shootings in Atlanta that took the lives of eight people, six of whom were Asian women. The nation’s flags were lowered to half-staff to honor their deaths and the Asian American Journalist Association provided a video to ensure that we pronounce their names correctly.  This incident shocked many but reminded others that racism is more than just a Black-and-White issue.

As an educator, in moments like this, my first inclination is to learn more. I’ve curated this list of resources that you may find helpful as you seek to understand, empathize, and support. 

I recommend starting with an article written by Rethinking Schools. Its nuanced message to various readers, although aimed at teachers, left me thoughtful and hopeful. 

Details about March 16

• On Capitol Hill, Asian American Leaders Say Community Has Reached 'Crisis Point' - NPR

• 8 Dead in Atlanta Spa Shootings, With Fears of Anti-Asian Bias - NYT

Asian American History

• https://aatimeline.com/1861-1898 

• The Scapegoating of Asian Americans, by the Harvard Gazette.

• StopAsianHate - A collaboration between the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University, who launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020.

• Many Black and Asian Americans Say They Have Experienced Discrimination Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak - The Pew Research Center

• The AAPI COVID-19 Project (ACP) and Anti-Asian Violence Resource Guide

• After 50 Years of  ‘Asian American,’ advocates say the term is ‘more essential than ever’ - NBC News. An excellent resource that explains the origin of the term Asian American.

• “There is tremendous diversity, within Asia, having more than 40 countries, and there are more ethnicities than countries”.

• https://www.api-gbv.org/resources/census-data-api-identities/

• Learn more about the perceptions vs. the reality of being Asian in this article by the Asia Society

• Understanding the Model Minority myth and why it is not a compliment: Why Do We Call Asian Americans The Model Minority? | AJ+ 

Books

While all books listed can be found and purchased on Amazon, you may also choose to buy your books from a bookstore, online or brick-and-mortar. Many of the books listed are currently available in the HB library collection and may already be included in the HB curriculum. 

Younger elementary books as recommended by Primary School Diversity Liaison Alaina McCourt

• Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho 
• Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang 
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi 
• Speak Up by Miranda Paul and Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley and Cedella Marley

Upper Elementary/Middle School Books

• Front Desk by Kelly Yang
• Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
• Sylvia and Aki by Winifred Conkling
• Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang

Middle to High School Books

• Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
• The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang
• Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Frankly in Love by David Yoon
• Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Adult and Nonfiction Books

• Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
• At America's Gates: Chinese Immigration During the Exclusion Era, 1882-1943 by Erika Lee
• The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race by Anthony Christian Ocampo 
• A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki 
• Little Gods by Meng Jin
• If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim
• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
• Dear Girls by Ali Wong
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Social Justice/Racial Justice Books

• Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming our Ethnic Journey by Sarah Shin (this book is written for a Christian/religious audience)
• Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How To Speak Up by Kathy Khang
• From a Liminal Place: an Asian American Theology by Sang Hyun Lee (this book is specifically written for a Christian/religious audience)

Acknowledgement to “too cool for middle school” on Youtube for providing the list of books and reviews.