Despite being half-way across the world, many international students have been persistent in raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement. To further encourage this activity, we have compiled easy, effective, and affordable ways to demonstrate anti-racist allyship as non-black, international students in China.
*Note: Despite being mainly for East Asian students, we recommend anyone with any background to engage in these general tips.
#Asians4BlackLives at a Seattle protest in support of Black Lives Matter Photo: Jama Abdirahman/The Seattle Globalist
1. Education (Cost: Free)
Education is the foundation of change. Here are some easy ways to learn about the history of black oppression in the context of American history.
Podcasts:
The Dave Chang Show: “How Asian Americans Can Better Support Black Lives Matter” (50 min)
“Dave calls up his producers, Chris Ying and Isaac Lee, to explore why Asian Americans can and should advocate for the Black community in the midst of ongoing protests against systemic racism and police brutality.”
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-asian-americans-can-better-support-black-lives-matter/id1375877915?i=1000476956099
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UmcMzOjZyJbbszDMe9xew?si=0fA2lHPuQeWgT-lLsKgLhw
Code Switch by NPR (20/30 min each)
“Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society -- from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.”
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/code-switch/id1112190608
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV?si=bHrwDo-7SQ2oO2TSwmc0SA
1619 by The New York Times (30/45 min each)
“In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia… On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story.”
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1619/id1476928106
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j5MhJCMBvOjF1Asi9LPLX?si=vyroC4ROR9egcMve9AFkEA
Pod Save the People by Crooked Media (60+ min each)
“Organizer and activist DeRay McKesson explores news, culture, social justice, and politics with fellow activists… DeRay also dives in deep with experts, influencers, and diverse local and national leaders to better understand the issues.”
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pod-save-the-people/id1230148653
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Y3colnIhnNfvBcK8O9y7p?si=-cz2TlG7TMC54uSkwmPihw
Film/TV Shows:
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap by Netflix & Vox
“Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.”
13th by Netflix
“Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay's examination of the U.S. prison system looks at how the country's history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America.”
When They See Us by Netflix
“When They See Us is based on events of the April 19, 1989, Central Park jogger case and explores the lives of the five suspects who were prosecuted on charges related to the sexual assault of a female victim, and of their families.”
Available on Netflix
2. Conversations (Cost: Free)
For many East Asian families, it is difficult to have a civil and diplomatic conversation about the Black Lives Matter movement. However, remember that if a conversation is hard, it’s probably one worth having. Here are some resources that we hope will help you gather your thoughts is a way that is digestible and understandable for your intended audience.
Letter #1: “An Open Letter Project on Anti-Blackness”
Simplified Chinese: https://lettersforblacklives.com/chinese-simp-edbf828433c3
Traditional Chinese: https://lettersforblacklives.com/chinese-trad-6770eed17e9#.lc68jvlsc
Letter #2: “An Open Letter to My Asian Parents About Anti-Black Racism in America” by Annie Xie
Simplified Chinese: https://medium.com/@anniegxie/%E5%A6%88%E5%A6%88-%E7%88%B8%E7%88%B8-%E6%88%91%E6%94%AF%E6%8C%81blm-d375e0afdeb6
Traditional Chinese: https://medium.com/@anniegxie/%E5%AA%BD%E5%AA%BD-%E7%88%B8%E7%88%B8-%E6%88%91%E6%94%AF%E6%8C%81blm-d2e022a80323
3. Changing Behavior (Cost: Free)
Step 1: Take the Implicit Bias test from Harvard to uncover any biases you might not be aware of. Normalize admitting your mistakes and reforming!
Step 2: Stop appropriating AAVE: African-American Vernacular English. Words/phrases such as "on fleek", "as f*ck", and even "bruh" has their origins in Black communities in the US. Learn more here:
Step 3: STOP using the n-word. Period. Call your non-black friends out for using the n-word. It is NOT appropriate under ANY circumstances.
Step 4: Email Minnesota officials to demand accountability for the racist burder of George Floyd. Pre-written email by Maasai Godwin: (Just plug in your name and city!) https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Femailforfloyd%2F&e=ATMp5K2oRXdOHR0md1uar9cSVTp-WIYpaFD2qeH1058UNUwsGID7I5TX6diHB2sS7Lnua-lknr1Gq5ltjA_OFFQ&s=1
Step 5: Stop posting black screens for #blackouttuesday. If you have already, please delete it. Your sentiment is appreciated but it is over-saturating people's timelines where relevant information should be spread instead.
Step 6: SIGN PETITIONS. You might not think your contribution will count but every. signature. matters.
International petitions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-He4uzB2k0oBybIfQZ_B9uulDYlmfv3GzRkILdSUQNw/edit
4. Support Local Black Businesses (Cost: $$$)
Although the Black Lives Matter movement is centered in the United States, anti-racism should be universal. Start by celebrating and supporting black-owned businesses in Shanghai!
Ohemma’s World: Clothing Store
Instagram: @ohemmas_world
Popstyles by AB: Clothing Store
Instagram: @popstylesbyab
Noubelle: Body & Hair Care Products
Instagram: @nuobelle_hairandskin
Wechat QR Codes:
5. Financial Contributions
The viral “Stream to Donate” video that was uploaded by Zoe Amira was, unfortunately, recently deleted along with many similar videos. Luckily, there are many other ways to contribute financially to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
To minimize risk, do not donate to Shaun King. Learn more:
Watch Youtube videos: Although there may not be dedicated “Stream to Donate” videos, there are still many creators that are donating portions, if not 100%, of their ad revenue to BLM funds. When watching, make sure to turn off ad-blocker and watch through all of the ads! Here are a few:
Greta Onieogou: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1qXHvAJIbA
Liza Koshy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvvhyO_OxHE
Cassandra Bankson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piUak_Lzrps
Jordan Matter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3aaZaiTkU
PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtooIklzheqzORPbQBiEZKsw2T4s6SUxv&app=desktop
Play this game: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/u-don/id1509911245
The creators of this mobile game are donating the revenue generated by the ads to BLM funds. (iOS game available on iPad and iPhone)
CREDIBLE FUNDS (accepting international payment): https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#international
6. Share this post
We have a duty as global citizens and future leaders to do our part in fighting alongside the black community. While doing the things mentioned in this post, feel free to further show your support to small, black artists by listening to this playlist:
Anita and Lillian
The Sustainable Success Team
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