BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

How Asian Americans Can (and Should) Show Up for Black Communities

In celebration of Black History Month, local Asian American community leaders share the importance of allyship with Black communities. The recent death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police renews the call for police reform and the importance of all communities to speak out against injustice.

Black and Asian communities have a long history of organizing together. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Asian Americans working as immigrant laborers in the US were often subjected to racial violence. That experience of discrimination created solidarity with the Black community. In recent years, the rise in anti-Asian hate sparked Black communities across the nation to show their support — participating in “Black & Asian Solidarity” rallies.