Inclusion Unpacked: Standing with the AAPI Community
Dismantling White Supremacy and Standing with the AAPI Community
Welcome to Inclusion Unpacked! Your weekly newsletter where we unpack diversity topics to help founders, managers, and community leaders navigate the current climate.
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This Week we’re Unpacking: Dismantling White Supremacy
I want to start this newsletter off by acknowledging the heaviness of this past week. My heart aches for the families of the victims in Atlanta and for those impacted by the surge of hate and violence directed towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
As a Black woman, this goes without saying but Inclusion Unpacked stands against racism of all forms. This platform serves as a safe space to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and that includes the AAPI community. There are a myriad of resources available to educate yourself on this issue, or lend your support. I’ve listed a couple here and here with additional resources at the bottom of this newsletter. Please take a moment this week to contribute and lend your voice where you can and do your part.
It needs to be said that these racist acts of violence will continue to occur until we stand up and fight against white supremacy. That is the central issue that we are fighting against, and my fear is that more communities of color will continue to experience racism until this is addressed at the root.
White allies, it is imperative for you to continue to be vocal in the fight.
In our last newsletter, I outlined white supremacy, and I am re-sharing this as a reminder: White supremacy believes whiteness is the standard by which all other races must follow. White supremacy also holds the dual belief that other races are inferior. It is incredibly prevalent and if you're reading this thinking your work environment is immune, think again.
The first step to dismantling it is acknowledging it exists.
I know many of you are looking for ways to step up and take action. If you are looking for a starting point, here are 3 ways you can begin to work to dismantle white supremacy and and to stand with communities of color.
Ways you can begin to dismantle white supremacy
Question your ways of thinking - Ask yourself, when were there instances in my life where I didn’t speak out against racism? Why didn’t I? Could I have been a better ally? Reflect on what you could have done and then commit to making a change.
Use your Voice - Share stories from people of color, share books or podcasts or articles you’re reading. Share your journey to dismantling white supremacy within your community. We can all agree that to dismantle white supremacy, white allyship is crucial. We need your help in gathering others to join in the cause.
Believe People of Color - When we share our experiences, believe us. Now is not the time to gaslight or question our experiences regarding racism simply because you feel uncomfortable. Believe that our lived experiences are real.
If you want to learn more about the hate crimes directed at the AAPI community, visit the organization Stop AAPI Hate and click “act now” to join the fight.
Have a Question that you’d like us to Unpack?
Submit your diversity related question to hello@inclusionunpacked.com for us to answer it in our Q&A newsletter every Wednesday.
-Tori
CEO + Founder, Inclusion Unpacked