Organizing Asian America
Content Warning: sexual trauma sumi: You have a really amazing bio. You identify as a superfat queer bisexual non-binary sex therapist, clinical social worker, and grassroots organizer. You’re a co-owner of a radical therapy center in Philly. You’re South Asian and committed to annihilating caste. Most readers may already follow…
“What is Healing for Asian Americans?” is a new 18MR pilot series exploring the healing possibilities for Asian America, in the face of American exceptionalism and the model minority myth. Asian American healing will play no small role in shaping the future. From fat liberation to somatics, to transformative justice…
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! We think there is no better time to celebrate the power and resilience of our communities than right now, in the midst of a pandemic that disproportionately impacts us. We have survived imperialist wars, colonialism, natural disasters, and so much more. In honor of…
Not only do Asian Americans worry about surviving the virus, we also fear for our lives. Our loved ones are experiencing skyrocketing levels of unchecked hate and violence – over 100 hundred hate crimes a day. This violence is the latest iteration of Yellow Peril. It is a form of…
The world has changed. I find myself reminding people that we’re experiencing a once-in-a-century pandemic event. Right now, a little kindness and a little humanity, goes a long way. That’s why I’m writing you an email, personally. Here at 18MR, we’ve been processing what this means for our work. As…
To honor Black History Month, we are reflecting on how our work in the Asian American movement is deeply inspired and formed by the leadership of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements in the 60s and 70s, as well as the Third World Liberation Front, the fight for ethnic…
This year the month long celebration of Lunar New Year overlaps with Black History Month. Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, new beginnings, and being with family. As Asian American activists, we’re expanding our definitions of family and who we fight for. We’re asking: how will we live…
This November, 18MR’s Campaigner Laura Li and I were welcomed by the Kia’i at Mauna Kea. As Asian Americans, we were honored to be able to support and lift up the Kānaka Maoli’s fight to protect this sacred place. It’s been five months since the Kia’i (Kānaka Maoli protectors) set…
Dear Mia Yamamoto, You are a powerhouse. You are an inspiration to all of the queer and trans Asian American youth who are beginning to navigate their personal journeys as activists. This love letter is dedicated to you, Mia, in gratitude for your life and your commitment to fighting against…
Dear Cecilia Chung, You have spent decades fighting for rights and protections for transgender people and people living with HIV/AIDS. You are an inspiration for younger generations of trans activists. You are tough as nails and a tireless advocate for marginalized communities. This Love Letter is dedicated to you, Cecilia,…
