Stop Asian Hate
After another wave of Asian hate crimes in NYC hundreds of demonstrators gathered for a Rise Up Against Asian Hate rally. Browsing through pictures of advocates I stopped at a picture of an Asian woman holding a sign that read “LOVE OUR PEOPLE LIKE U LOVE OUR FOOD”, captivated by how much I related to the words written on this flimsy piece of corrugated cardboard. Each time I read on the news about another attack on an Asian elder, my heart broke for the distressed families of these victims, and I feared for my aging grandmother that up until the days of COVID quarantine frequently roamed the neighborhood solo. In the wake of the global pandemic Asians across the nation have been targets of hate crimes. 3,795 incidents have been received by the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Out of anger, desperation, and frustration people were using Asians as human punching bags and targets.
In January 2020, I was feeling very hopeful. My family and I had been working on the opening of our first brick and mortar restaurant after doing farmers markets and pop-ups for 4 years. Our grand opening was met with unrivaled enthusiasm as people flooded in the shop to celebrate with us and usher in the lion dancers that had come to bless our new business. 6 weeks after that momentous day the nation had started shutting down businesses in an effort to curb the rates of COVID-19 infections that were decimating large cities and overwhelming hospitals. Desperately holding on to any momentum leftover from our Grand Opening, taking to posting on social media daily, and driving our own delivery service we weathered the worst months of the pandemic. As the pandemic raged on we started seeing more and more reports of hate crimes against Asians. With these reports fueling the conversation, Asian business owners started sharing their Anti-Asian stories and these stories helped to build a community of support during these difficult times.
Inspired by this simple cardboard sign, our mural reads: “Love our People like you love our Food” to serve as a simple reminder for us and others that we stand in solidarity with the Anti-Asian hate crimes that have been happening around the nation. Let us treat people with the respect and appreciation we treat other parts of their culture whether it be food, music, or dance.
May is AAPI Month a celebration of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States! We are happy to be participating in a few local events celebrating Asian culture!
May 8: Have A Nice Day Mini Market from 3pm-6pm at PRAUPER Studios (218 Westcott St, Houston, TX 77007)
May 15- June 15: Asian Restaurant Weeks - OCA-Greater Houston's month-long dining showcase of Asian heritage through fine & casual dining menus at participating restaurants and specialty locations in Chinatown/Asiatown and across the City of Houston. Houstonians can discover award-winning, new and old Asian and/or Asian-owned restaurants and specialty stores representing the diversity of Asian cuisine.
We are also selling shirts inspired by our mural at our brick and mortar (2313 Edwards St. Houston, TX 77007) or through online ordering and pick up at the Urban Harvest Saturday Farmers Market (2752 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77027) 8am-`12pm.
RESOURCES:
Stop AAPI Hate (https://stopaapihate.org/)
Bystander Training (https://advancingjustice-aajc.org/events)
Mural Artist Credit:
Lettering- Terence Tang, Illustrations- Maggie Wong
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Rooted in the dreams of immigrants and inspired by the promise of opportunity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) advocates for an America in which all Americans can benefit equally from, and contribute to, the American dream. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Advancing Justice | AAJC is a national 501 (c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 in Washington, D.C.
Advancing Justice | AAJC is the voice for the Asian American community – the fastest-growing population in the U.S. – fighting for our civil rights through education, litigation, and public policy advocacy. We serve to empower our communities by bringing local and national constituencies together and ensuring Asian Americans are able to participate fully in our democracy.
Terence Tang is a local visual artist passionate about telling stories through custom lettering and various media. His lettering work can be found in a variety of publications, on his lifestyle goods, in restaurants and coffee shops, and even on sneakers. His hand-lettered Black Lives Matter custom sneakers have seen NBA and WNBA game action.
Maggie Wong is a designer and photographer from Houston, Texas. She integrates storytelling in her multimedia work and currently works in marketing at a community center. She is interested to take part wherever art can help celebrate and bridge communities, which led her to her first mural at Dumpling Haus. Available for creative projects on the side.
She enjoys camping, soul music, savory tacos and Hong Kong style toasts that proudly remind her of her roots.
