Last Fall, a report from the New York Police Department showed that Anti-Asian hate crimes jumped up 1,900% from the year before. With inequities, injustices and hate faced by multiple communities on a daily basis, many have stepped up asking–what can we do? How can we help? How can we be allies, friends, peers?
Allyship, at times, can feel like it needs to be grandiose actions but, in reality, can still be impactful through several everyday actions. Is it posting on social media? Is it pushing for diverse representation on your own team? Is it speaking up when you witness injustice, especially when it’s being underreported in the media?
Start With The Basics
Including educating yourself on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history, on micro-aggressions, on the model minority myth and why it is harmful. Contribute to organizations and individuals already doing the work, amplify them, support them, follow their recommendations. Denounce attacks against the AAPI community with your direct network. Continue showing up, doing the research, speaking up, being vocal, remember consistence is key. And ultimately, take action daily – learn, speak up when you see prejudiced or racist behavior, make anti-racism a part of your daily life.
As workers in the cannabis space specifically, we can create ways to cross conversations into communities that are unaware of Asians in the cannabis space. People can also connect with non-cannabis Asian-led organizations and create resources that address racism outright and educate people on how these issues are still happening.
Encourage Conversations in the Workplace
As many people saw following racial justice movements in the summer of 2020, workers now expect their organizational leaders to speak up on any issues affecting marginalized communities. Workplaces aiming to be inclusive have a responsibility to acknowledge any and all violence against marginalized communities and the trauma workers may be feeling. We created a partner guide, “How Leaders Support Marginalized Communities” that you can share with your employer.
Here is a sample text that you can use to share these recommendations with your employer:
“I thought you would be interested in these materials from Cannabis Workers Coalition’s Cannabis Employers Network, on how we can support AAPI workers during this time. [https://www.cannabisworkerscoalition.org/2021/03/18/how-leaders-support-marginalized-communities/] ”
Instagram Accounts to Follow
@sousweed
@highlyhuman
@amandagocnguyen
@nextshark
@decolonizemyself
@aapiwomenlead
@terisasiagatonu
@itsjiyounkim
@beyonkz
Find more inspirational Asian leaders in cannabis using AlmostConsulting’s ”Asians in Cannabis to Watch”
Thank you Sesh-Ins for sharing these resources, be sure to join their weekly 4:20 virtual smoke shesh to kick back and share more action items we can do as lovers of cannabis.