Resources for Discussing AAPI Discrimination in the Classroom

During the pandemic, there has been an alarming resurgence of verbal and physical violence against Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. These acts of hate are rooted in a long history of xenophobia and racism in this country. The following resources were compiled by RC Coach Jayne Sohn who also serves as the Coordinator of Equity and Anti-Bias Education at Community Roots, RC’s learning site, to support teachers as they navigate conversations in their classrooms.  We firmly believe that creating space for these conversations in classrooms requires ongoing personal learning and research as adults.  Therefore, there are some resources to support that below as well. We suggest referring to our two additional resources: Discussing Current Events and Important Reminders for Discussing Current Events to further support these conversations. 

Resources/Strategies for the Classroom:

• COMMON DREAMS: Dear Educators, It Is Time to Fight for Asian America

• LEARNING FOR JUSTICE: After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History

  • This resources includes links to other resources.

• TIME FOR KIDS: Talking to Kids About Anti-Asian Racism

• LEARNING FOR JUSTICE: How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism

  • As COVID-19 infections increase, so too does racism and xenophobia. Use our “Speak Up” strategies to let people know you’re not OK with racist or xenophobic comments about coronavirus or anything else

• PBS NEWSHOUR: Daily News Lesson: Asian Americans face a wave of discrimination during the pandemic (Video and lesson)

• Curriculum Guide: Combating Anti-Asian Racism in the Age of Coronavirus, Bianca Mabute-Louie

  • A collection of teaching materials and lesson plans, including lecture notes, class activities, and media and textual sources for teaching or leading events on anti-Asian racism and Asian American resistance.

• LEARNING FOR JUSTICE: Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus

• ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: Coronavirus and Infectious Racism

  • Virus Has No Nationality

• Combating AAPI Hate in Age of COVID-19 - An Educational Curriculum for Our Students as Hate Crimes Increase During COVID-19

• NEA: Educators Take a Stand Against Coronavirus Racism

Action and Resistance

• AMNY: Rising up: Hundreds rally in Manhattan to condemn COVID-19 related anti-Asian hate crimes

• BROOKLYN VEGAN: Hundreds rallied against Asian hate in NYC (pictures)

• INSTAGRAM: Rise Up Against Asian Hate Rally Photos by @meldcole

  • https://www.instagram.com/p/CL0BjWflDg4/ 

  • https://www.instagram.com/p/CLiboa6FIVN/ 

  • Below are some examples of @meldcole photographs:

• ASIAN AMERICAN ADVANCING JUSTICE: https://www.standagainsthatred.org/ 

• Stay Safe from Hate Booklet, Asian American Federation

  • A guide on methods recommended by experts at the Center for Anti-Violence Education to stay safe in hateful situations. The booklet includes de-escalation procedures, physical defense techniques, and bystander intervention methods.

• Black/Asian Solidarity Reading & Media List, Cross Cultural Solidarity History Project

  • An extensive list of articles, podcasts, videos, and books on the histories and ongoing issues related to Black/Asian solidarity, and links to organizations working for the cause. Materials available primarily in English, some translated in Chinese.

• Bystander Intervention Guide, Hollaback!

  • A guide on Hollaback!’s 5 methods to support a victim of harassment as a bystander: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct.

NBC: 'I am not your scapegoat': NYC public art calls out anti-Asian racism

• Safe Walks NYC (New York)

• NYC.GOV: "I Still Believe in Our City" Public Art Campaign: Asian and Pacific Islanders standing up for themselves, the Black Lives Matter movement, and their home: New York City

  • BKLYNER: I Still Believe In Our City: Campaign To Honor Asian & Pacific Islander And Black New Yorkers

  • I STILL BELIEVE IN OUR CITY:  Art Campaign

  • CITY LIMITS: Subway Art Campaign Tackles Anti-Asian Bias During COVID-19

  • NBC: 'I am not your scapegoat': NYC public art calls out anti-Asian racism

News Sources Focussing on the AAPI Community

• NBC Asian America: 

• NBC4:  Asian Americans

• NEXTSHARK

Resources for Adults and Older Students for Ongoing Conversations and Lessons

• #StopAsianHate​ Together Ft. Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong, Di Barbadillo, and more | Directed by Bao Nguyen (Short film)

• PBS NEWSHOUR: The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S. (Text)

• WASHINGTON POST: History of anti-Asian racism, violence in U.S. includes massacres, murders, attacking immigrants

• MUSEUM OF CHINESE AMERICA: History of Anti-AAPI Violence and Discrimination (Video) 

• NBC NEWS: The Racism Virus: Anti-Asian attacks surge (Hour-long Video Special)

  • NBC News investigative and consumer correspondent Vicky Nguyen moderates this important special report focused on the concerning rise in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic and solutions to racism and xenophobia. Special guests include Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., basketball star Jeremy Lin, actors Olivia Munn and Brian Tee, 'Survivor' winner Yul Kwon, the Nobel Prize nominee and activist Amanda Nguyen, comedian Margaret Cho and more.

• MSNBC: 'We are crying out for help': Actors, activists sounding alarm on surging attacks against Asian Americans (Video)

• MSNBC: Asian Americans face rise in racist attacks amid pandemic (Video) 

• CNN: Rise in attacks on elderly Asian Americans in Bay Area prompts new special response unit

• NEW YORK - THE CUT: The US Is Seeing a Massive Spike in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

• ABC7NY: Man slashed across face in subway dispute speaks out, mayor denies crime problem

• ABC7NY: Exclusive: 89-year-old woman who was attacked, set on fire in Brooklyn speaks out

• SFGATE: An elderly San Francisco man was killed in a 'brutal' attack. His family says it was a racist act.

• THE WHITE HOUSE: Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States