Asian Americans and Activism

Written By Sue Park-Hur

Please consider supporting the ministry of ReconciliAsian on AAPI Heritage Month. You can give a one-time gift or set up a monthly donation plan. For supporters who already give prayerful and financial support, we thank you.

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month


You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.
-Grace Lee Boggs
 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. The term "Asian American" emerged in the late 1960s as college students and activists of Asian descent tried to mobilize under a larger pan-Asian banner to strategically address injustices of racism, imperialism, and militarism in the United States and abroad.

In the past several weeks, we have seen many Asian Americans on the local campuses of USC, UCLA, and Occidental College joining and organizing in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for life and liberation. They see what Martin Luther King Jr. said, that we are "caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." 

Last week, we have also counseled some Asian American Christian students on these campuses feeling confused on how to respond to encampments and other expressions of resistance. Many young adults grew up in churches that did not welcome intersectional conversations about faith, identity, history, peace and justice. Young adults are seeking tools and frameworks to navigate their changing world. This is a critical moment for accompaniment and resourcing.
 

  • Capacitar International has Emergency Response Kit handouts in over 40 different languages. There are simple exercises and tools to help with traumatic stress and emotional regulation. It is a practical resource for communities experiencing systems of violence that impact our body, mind, and spirit. 

  • Soul Reparations provides soul reparations to women of color through free spiritual direction. It will take time to get connected with a spiritual director since the demand is great, but sign up if you are seeking spiritual accompaniment in the call to racial justice.

  • ReconciliAsian is working with local faith leaders and churches to plan mini retreats for community organizers who are feeling burnt out. We are also compiling a directory of therapists, spiritual directors, and pastoral care team who have experience accompanying people in movement spaces. We will give updates as these resources are created.


Please consider supporting the ministry of ReconciliAsian on AAPI Heritage Month. You can give a one-time gift or set up a monthly donation plan. For supporters who already give prayerful and financial support, we thank you.

Question of the Month

How does your Asian American identity shape your faith?

Sharon Wada, co-director of Sustainable Faith, a collective of spiritual directors and pastors working to create a spiritually healthy culture among leaders and their communities.


"My Christian journey as a Japanese American is an invitation to bless and steward the gifts of my God given particularities and uncover the resources for healthy engagement in a racialized society."

Prayer Request

June
Hyun and Sue will be joined by ReconciliAsian board chair, Rhoda Blough, to spend most of June at Corrymeela. Corrymeela Community is Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organization. Please pray them as they travel and connect with global peacebuilders in Northern Ireland.  This trip is made possible through the Reflective Leadership Grant from Duke Divinity School.

July 1-4
Hyun will be leading a seminar at KOSTA USA conference, an annual gathering of Korean students at Wheaton, Illinois.  

Sue Park-Hur
Next

Spring Update