By now we’re sure that you’ve heard about the atrocity that occurred in Atlanta, Georgia last week. And with that in mind, we’re sure that many of you are looking for ways to help support Seattle’s Asian community.
However, it is also worth mentioning that ultimately the biggest thing that you can do is unlearn your own biases and educate yourself. Additionally, call out racism that you see in your daily life. In order to make the world a better place and safe for everyone, we must all individually do our part.
With all of that in mind, here are 12 great ways to actively support the Asian community in Seattle and nationally.
Asian Pacific Fund
We’ll start this list with a national resource that’s helping Asian businesses affected by the pandemic. Asian businesses have had an even harder time due to lack of business and increased racism due to the pandemic. So beyond just supporting local businesses, you can donate to APF to help Asian businesses around the nation stay afloat.
Pike Place Flower Farmers
Many of our market’s famous flower vendors are Hmong farmers. A simple way to support them is by simply buying flowers! You can buy yourself a bouquet and grab one or two for friends. They’re some of the best quality flowers in town and also extremely affordable.
Follow Asian creators
This is a way to support the Asian community as a whole. It’s important to diversify your feeds whether it’s news, social media, or Youtube. And no matter what you’re into if it’s politics, food, lifestyle content, there are Asian creators that you can support simply by following them and interacting with their content.
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
If you’re looking to learn and don’t know where to start, there’s a local museum that is entirely dedicated to the Asian Pacific American Experience. You can learn about the history of Asian Americans both nationally and right here in Seattle. We highly recommend visiting if you haven’t.
Seattle Public Library
On the topic of educating yourself, the library is always a great place to start. Not to mention, they recently made a list of books about the AAPI experience in Seattle during the Seattle Asian American Film Festival. So check out this list if you’re looking to learn about the AAPI experience both locally and nationally.
Shop at an Asian owned business
Another simple way to give back is to shop at an Asian-owned business. We know that it can be hard to find businesses owned by specific groups of people which is why tools like Intentionalist are super helpful. So just put in the specifications you’re looking for and find new businesses to support!
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Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority
You know that Seattle has a beautiful and vibrant International District. And you can help it grow by donating to the SCIDpda which helps provide affordable housing and small-business assistance in the area. So support them and help Seattle’s International District grow!
API Chaya
This local organization helps AAPI and other immigrant survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. If you didn’t know, Seattle is a hub for human trafficking so this organization’s work is incredibly important. If you have the funds, be sure to donate to them.
Eat at an Asian restaurant
If you know us, you know we’re always making delicious food guides for restaurants around the city. Luckily for all of us, our city is jam-packed with delicious Asian cuisine of all varieties. So if you haven’t dined out in a while consider ordering from or visiting one!
UTOPIA Washington
This organization helps the Pacific Islander LGBTQI+ community fight for equality on all fronts. That means access to housing, education, employment, and much more. Donating to this organization is an excellent way to show your support for both the Pacific Islander community and the LGBTQI+ community.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
If you’re looking to support a national organization, then AAAJ is a great place to start. This organization fights for educational and public policy reform benefiting AAPI communities nationally. Additionally, they have great resources for bystander techniques and also how to respond to anti-Asian harassment.
Kinokuniya Bookstore
If you’ve shopped at Uwajimaya before then you’re probably familiar with the somewhat legendary bookstore inside. Kinokuniya Bookstore is the place to shop for Japanese books, stationery, manga, and much more. If you haven’t been before, you can easily spend a whole day here.
Those are our ideas for giving back to the Asian community in Seattle. We hope that you incorporate these ideas into your life and share this with friends and family. Additionally, we hope that you will take the time to seriously look at any biases that you may hold in your life and unlearn them. With that have a great week and stay safe.JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJtb2JpbGUtYWQtb25seSUyMiUzRSUwQSUzQyUyMS0tJTIwU2VhdHRsZSUyMC0lMjBNb2JpbGUlMjAtLSUzRSUwQSUzQ2lucyUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYWRzYnlnb29nbGUlMjIlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmRpc3BsYXklM0FibG9jayUzQndpZHRoJTNBMzIwcHglM0JoZWlnaHQlM0E1MHB4JTNCJTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQlM0QlMjJjYS1wdWItNTUyMTg1Njk1NTQ5NzQ1NiUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdCUzRCUyMjE2MjcxNzI5NDclMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpbnMlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=
