Stop Asian Hate
A statement on violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community
LA County Library vehemently condemns the violent attacks in Atlanta and the alarming volume of hate crimes directed at Asian Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. We are deeply troubled and saddened that we are witnessing yet another community being targeted for discrimination and brutality based on race. Our deepest and most sincere condolences go to the victims of the Atlanta shootings and their families, in addition to the countless number of individuals who have been victims of vicious hate crimes and discrimination around the country. The Library stands in solidarity with the AAPI community, many of whom are our patrons, relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
The misguided perceptions and rhetoric about COVID-19 has resulted in an escalation of xenophobia and violence toward the AAPI community. The hate and discrimination Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are experiencing is unfortunately not new and traces back to a long and complex history of systemic and normalized racism in our country. The tragic events that occurred in Atlanta are a stark reminder that racism, hate, bias, and bigotry are still very much part of our nation and unfortunately the trauma experienced before and now, has long lasting consequences. As a society, we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to addressing normalized racism and discrimination against people of color and marginalized communities including Black Americans, the Latinx community, Native and Indigenous people, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. Regardless of race, gender, creed, sexual orientation or ability, all members of our society should have the right to conduct daily life activities without fearing for their safety and well-being.
LA County Library remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing equity, inclusivity, and justice for all members of our society. As a gateway to knowledge and access, we have a civic and ethical responsibility to support the advancement, well-being, and resilience of all people. To help propel our mission, we offer a variety of resources and programs to help individuals cultivate and enhance skills and broaden their understanding of other cultures and social issues. Specifically, LA County Library is proud to house the Asian Pacific Resource Center (APRC), a special collection of the LA County Library system, located in Rosemead Library. The APRC encompasses academic materials as well as film, music, novels, magazines, and newspapers with an emphasis on the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience, with core holdings on the history, art, and culture of China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hawaii, and American Samoa. The center features more than 100 titles on microfilm of historical Asian immigrant newspapers published in the United States, including newspapers and documents on microfilm from the Japanese American incarceration during World War II.
If you have interest in learning more, we encourage you to visit these resources on the AAPI community, diversity, equity, social justice, and systemic racism. Collectively, we can do our part in advancing justice and equity for all.
If you or someone you know has been a victim or witness to a hate crime, we encourage you to visit LA vs Hate or call 211.
Gathered below are resources to provide support, education, and unity to those that stand against this abhorrent bigotry and violence.
- DMH Anti-Hate
Provides multiple resources and links including: Conversations about Racism and Race-Based Violence and Healing Through Story. - Stop AAPI Hate
Resources include ways to “Act Now” and messaging regarding hate. Provides suggestions on how to address hate in the community. - Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
A “Toolkit” developed by 15 grassroots organizations to help inform communities and build hope. The toolkit consists of 15 modules or racial justice trainings, highlights from each organization in how they are moving the work forward, and finally, resources. - Asian Mental Health Project
An agency aimed at educating and empowering Asian communities in seeking mental health care. Includes guidance on seeking a cultural competent therapist, opportunity to engage in a weekly “Check-in” and blogs providing information specific to the AAPI community. - Asian Mental Health Collective
The mission of this collective is to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community. This agency provides/utilizes:
- Facebook groups
- Resource libraries
- Video web-series
- Meetup groups
- Podcasts
- LAC Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Visit this website to find information about local mental health resources and 24/7 support via the DMH Helpline at 800.854.7771 or contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. - Addressing Anti-Asian Racism and Discrimination: Resources for Educators
The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has established resources for educators to address anti-Asian racism and discrimination in the classroom. Resources include guides to conversations in the classroom and resources for creating lesson plans. - Learning for Justice
An organization dedicated to helping schools incorporate social justice issues into their curriculum. Resources include articles focused on teachings about the AAPI community as well as PDFs to be downloaded and shared. - Asian Pacific American Heritage
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May), this website celebrates Asian Pacific Americans, displaying artwork, highlighting exhibits, and providing a database of resources.
- Anti-API Racism Children’s Book
- The Cut: Spike in API Hate Crimes
- Hollaback: Bystander Intervention Training
- Human Rights Watch: COVID API Racism
- Kanopy: Race – The Power of an Illusion
- Kanopy: Slaying the Dragon
- Kanopy: Vincent Who
- PBS: Asian Americans
- LA Times: Obstacles to Documenting Hate
- Nat Geo: History of Anti-AAPI Scapegoating
- NBC News: 150% Rise in API Hate Crimes
- NY Times: Racism and Sexism Intertwine
- Washington Post: Atlanta Shooting Victims
- Washington Post: API Senior Attacks
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an intervention that is integral inincreasing emotional wellbeing. Mindfulness is apractice that can be conducted inside and outsidethe classroom. Some available resources:
- Headspace – available at no cost to all LA County residents until September 2021.
- UCLA Mindful – is a free Mindfulness App providing guided meditation exercises as well as weekly podcasts.
Restorative Circles
Restorative practices are a framework for building community and for responding to challenging behavior through authentic dialogue for common understanding and making things right. One way to implement this in the classroom is through Restorative Circles; which allow students/participants to be recognized, heard, and improve relationships.
- Consider support for school staff such as creating a Monthly Educator Wellness Talk. During these times, educators need to feel supported to be present for their students.
- Reach out to your DMH Agency/Mental Health Provider to gain support in effectively engaging and responding to students and staff. Some of the mental health agencies that serve youth in the San Gabriel Valley area include, but are not limited to, Pacific Clinics, Hathaway-Sycamores, Foothill Family, and D’Veal.
Well-being Workshops for Students
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) School Based Community Access Platform (SBCAP) developed a series of well-being workshops to be delivered in high school classrooms. This course was created to help increase students’ well-being by strengthening their self-care and well-being practices. The series Mental Health Well-being Workshops for Educators to Use with Students can be accessed by school staff by creating a free account at Wellbeing4LA.
Los Angeles County DMH Helpline
800.854.7771
ACCESS Center: 24/7 Hotline for LA County Residents seeking assistance in a crisis and/or to access mental health programs or visit the DMH website.
Emotional Support Volunteer Line: Warm line for LA County Residents seeking emotional support.
Los Angeles County Well-being Line
833.307.0509
A free and confidential warm line available to all LA County employees, first responders and healthcare workers, including school staff, who are seeking resources and support.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800.273.8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
- API Equality LA
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice San Gabriel Valley
- Asian Youth Center Los Angeles
- Cambodian Association of America
- Chinatown Service Center
- Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
- LA vs Hate
- Little Tokyo Service Center
- National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
- Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
- South Asian Network
- Taiwanese American Citizenship League
