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How to Demonstrate Allyship as Non-Black, International Students in China - #BlackLivesMatter

Updated: Jun 12, 2020

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:





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.”

    • https://youtu.be/Mqrhn8khGLM


  • 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.”

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8


  • 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”


Letter #2: “An Open Letter to My Asian Parents About Anti-Black Racism in America” by Annie Xie


3. Changing Behavior (Cost: Free)



  • 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 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.



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.





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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