Issue 9: USA! USA! USA!
Trying to express a hard month with GIFs of Jason from The Good Place
I’ve been a little quiet lately. On this newsletter, on social media. I find myself texting less, cutting phone calls shorter than I normally would.
The reason is exhaustion. From years of internalized something. Everything, coming all at once. Much has been said, read and retweeted about #StopAsianHate. And no, I’m not here to share that horrible video of the Filipino grandma, who could have very well been my mama or tita. I’m not here to tell you about how livid it made me that during the Atlanta shooting, businesses were called massage “parlors” - and the unsavory association that comes with specific word - and not spas, businesses or even establishments. I’m not even here to lecture wannabe allies blaming big, bad mainstream media for ingrained anti-Asian racism as they continue to only consume free news. It’s almost laughable. Like, Jason from The Good Place laughable.
If you know, you know.
I am here to plead you to listen, and to learn.
Read this excellent piece from my college friend Steffi Lau, a consummate PR pro and beautiful writer: It's Not Just About Stopping Asian Hate. You're Part of the Problem Too.
Internalize the points of view in this Protocol investigative piece, Asian Americans in tech say they face ‘a unique flavor of oppression.'
Hear the stories from #IamAStrongAAPIWoman, started by my dear friend Janet Panen - another USC alumna.
Listen to this Sporkful episode, Celebrating Other People’s Holidays.
Realize how Anti-Asian Violence in America Is Rooted in US Empire (Thanks, The Nation).
Carve roles on your team and your television to fight How Hollywood Is Complicit in the Violence Against Asians in America, from Variety. And ask again, Why Are There No Filipino Nurses on Medical TV Shows? (ColorLines) while Covid-19 is taking a devastating toll on Filipino American nurses.
Diversify your bedside reading table. Might I suggest (on top of Issue 7): America is In the Heart: A Personal History + its modern companion read, America is Not in the Heart.
Having these conversations will be difficult. I have had many conversations in the last few weeks in which people shared they had no idea the diversity of experience within the Asian community. I overheard someone cite that because every medical professional they ever had was East or South Asian descent, they assumed the entire community was “doing OK.” I have even been disappointed by others’ attitudes that attacks on Asians “would happen again.”
It’s an interesting time to be leaving the U.S., that’s for sure.
Personal news buried at the end of the story, all: Trace and I bought a one-way ticket to Berlin and will be moving mid-month. Yes, Tinapay the cat is coming with, and yes, she is getting a passport. More to come on where I’ll be working soon - and more to come on transitions in PR. And in the meantime - any introductions, suggestions, advice on how to emigrate in the middle of a pandemic would be much appreciated.
Enjoy spring. Keep growing and interrogating. And thank you for reading.
Eerily accurate portrayal of me with my Easter candy.
Interesting PR roles
LifeStance Health, PR Manager
thank you for sharing, friend <3 love this issue of the boilerplate <3