DragonSprouts AAPI Statement
To our DragonSprouts family, to our AAPI (Asian Americans Pacific Islanders) brothers and sisters and to the non-AAPI community that stands in solidarity with us
Whether or not we personally experience acts of hate or violence, it is important to provide intentional support for people who have been directly and/or indirectly impacted by hate or violence. When one member of our community hurts, it hurts us all.
If you or someone you know is hurting, please take advice from Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Milo Dodson:
General Considerations
The range of emotions you’re experiencing are valid and normal. Vicarious or indirect trauma can have just as much of an impact as personally survived trauma.
Process, process, process. Talking about it helps us mitigate and manage both the physiological and emotional responses to trauma.
While coping with trauma, people often experience a lost sense of control. Focusing on our safety, eating regularly, prioritizing sleep, and creating a structured routine for ourselves helps us regain a sense of control.
Coping can often feel isolating, so identify people who can serve as your self-compassion accountability team. Community and connection are key.
Engage in intentional self-care that’s NOT dependent on our work productivity. That being said, be gentle with yourself while monitoring if more energy is given to work as a means of coping.
Please do not internalize blame for a loss of control or normal response to discrimination, systemic oppression, and sexualized violence. It is not you nor your fault.
Mindfulness & Breathing Exercises
https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-exercises-techniques-activities/
https://www.centerforresilience.org/5-ways-to-practice-mindfulness-right-now
https://medium.com/thrive-global/mindfulness-meditation-whats-the-difference-852f5ef7ec1a
Advocacy
After FIRST checking in with yourself to gauge your capacity, consider connecting with advocacy organizations. Here is a link from Marie Claire about community organizations to consider: https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a35866266/how-to-support-asian-american-community-organizations/
Anti-Asian rhetoric and hate speech has been perpetuated against the AAPI community, often linked to scapegoating the community as the cause of the coronavirus pandemic. For example, between March 2020 and February 2021, Stop AAPI Hate said they received over 2,800 incident reports of discrimination directed at Asian Americans. Additionally, 81.5% of Asian youth reported being bullied or harassed in 2020.
What we can all continue to do
Continue to learn + amplify issues of violence against Asians and Asian American Communities
Check in with the elders in your community; ask them what they need
Hold each other accountable
Work to end ableism
Make demands that we are fully resourced communities so that everyone thrives
Support, volunteer with, amplify + learn from community-based groups who are organizing on the grounds around the needs of elders + community safety
Learn more at
PBS’ Asian Americans is a five-part documentary series on the history of Asians in America.
