Arguing for justice is something I’ve been navigating for a long time and I have repeatedly gotten the label “too political” from the people I grew up with. My family no longer lives on Long Island and I am no longer in contact with most of my high school friends. But social media will remind me often of where I grew up through recommended or popular content.
In a news week that includes abortion bans specifically designed to overturn Roe v. Wade passing through three different states, that content or reminder can be the final piece that deflates you. Despite their proximity to a major metropolitan center like NYC, the communities around Ward Melville are still racist and sexist. When the narrative that racism is a problem only in the South comes up, I haven’t had to reach far for examples of racism in the North. There are plenty of folks that I used to work with who believe the War on Drugs and mass incarceration are good and necessary.
When Trump signs were going up across the nation, it was easy to picture them on the lawns of homes I passed daily on the bus to school. And then I saw evidence of them on social media. They’ll pat themselves on the back for being friends with some folks of color but also say “No, they’re different. They’re good ones.” Some of the AAPI community members will be complicit and agree, giving their white friends a pass. Some will actively be racist and sexist.
I haven’t gone back in nearly a decade. Racism made my high school experience easy. I was part of the model minority and allowed to roam the school without a pass, go beyond a typical student’s reach. I was expected to succeed and provided opportunities to prove them right. I’ve turned around that privilege for my activism and studies. I’ve picked up more language, history, context. Become better equipped to face anti-Blackness head on, to be more intersectional, more intentional as an AAPI activist.
And, to be honest, I’ve burnt out at times. My pet project has seen no movement for years but these last several months, after joining the leadership team of NAPAWF-NYC, I have felt stronger than ever before. Doing the work with a community has been the best self-care yet. I know that despite seeing content like the ad above or Blue Lives Matter profile pictures, there’s a whole organization of AAPI women across the United States who are doing the work of building community, educating themselves and others on issues, and pushing elected officials for a more equitable future. That I am not alone in my activism and we’re in a lot of different communities.
Funneling some frustration into action
NAPAWF-NYC has an ongoing campaign fighting against racist sex-selective abortion bans. Even in states like New York, which have passed protections for an individual’s reproductive rights, sex-selective abortion bans have been proposed annually since 2015. These bans are based on the racist myth that AAPI communities prefer sons over daughters and are having abortions to avoid having daughters.
It would require providers to further question every woman’s reason for choosing to have an abortion. It would remove reproductive health access and criminalize AAPI women because of racism. It would criminalize providers for performing an abortion for a woman who is suspected of having one due to the sex of their baby. This Chinese-American woman will not stand to have legislators questioning whether my family values me, whether I am capable of making decisions about my health. Will you stand with me and sign our petition?
And when I start feeling burnt out? I know that other members of our community are ready to step in and support. I know that by formalizing my activism by joining NAPAWF, by joining the local NYC chapter, that I have changed my activism to a sustainable effort. I don’t feel so small or powerless. Across NAPAWF, there are experts about a huge swath of issues. Within the local chapter, there’s a drive and siblinghood to show up for each other, to celebrate each other. Perhaps even more importantly, there’s a commitment to building up new leaders. No select few running the show; we know we’re stronger when more of us are equipped to lead. Our work won’t be complete for a long time and knowing that new members are joining and learning all the time is constantly inspiring.
I know that it can be exhausting to stay up to date with what is happening where you live, across the nation, across the world. I know that rage can inspire you to speak out and argue for what is right. I am very familiar with the need to be part of the immediate actions. But I now want you to turn that rage and energy to participating in movements, regular and repeated actions, by joining and supporting existing organizations.
Even the quickest moving laws and policies take months to pass so why not do so with a community who will make sure your work isn’t a flash in the pan but has long-lasting impact? Who will make sure that you can step back for some sleep and self-care to prevent burn out, who will make sure our work is sustainable for as long as necessary?
Seeing the impact of our community’s work, beyond the immediate response, has been reenergizing. On my own, I might be able to get a City Council resolution passed but at great personal cost. And now, there’s not only a greater possibility of having the resolution pass but also a much lower cost. So join a movement, become a member in an organization like NAPAWF, and practice some self-care.
