How Asian Adoptees Can Support Black Lives Matter

Join us on this journey to become more racially conscious and equipped to identify and interrupt white supremacy in small and big ways so that we, Asian adoptees, can challenge anti-Blackness in ourselves, in our relationships, and in larger systems now and for the rest of our lives. Let’s do our part in building a society to ensure the reality of this obvious yet misunderstood truth: Black Lives Matter.

How Asian Adoptees Can Support Black Lives Matter

The murder of George Perry Floyd on May 25, 2020, sparked a racial reckoning that is taking place locally, nationally, and globally. Because of this, more than ever before, people across the country are showing up, eager to educate themselves and others in an effort to stand in solidarity with the movement for Black Lives. Calls to examine white supremacy and anti-black racism in ourselves and in one’s own community are cited by Black people as the work needed to be done by non-Black people. But what does this look like if you’re an Asian adoptee?

Join AK Connection and Network of Politicized Adoptees (NPA) in navigating this complex question by attending our three-part series. As immigrants of color, many of whom were adopted into all-white families and predominantly white communities, Asian adoptees inhabit a unique position, complicating the “racial triangulation” of Blacks, Asians, and whites that Claire Jean Kim theorizes. This series provides Asian adoptees with a brave space to process our own complicated relationship to whiteness and Blackness in order to eradicate white supremacy and usher in a society that truly values and respects the lives of Black people to the same degree as white lives are valued and respected.

Join us on this journey to become more racially conscious and equipped to identify and interrupt white supremacy in small and big ways so that we, Asian adoptees, can support anti-Blackness in ourselves, in our relationships, and in larger systems now and for the rest of our lives. Let’s do our part in building a society to ensure the reality of this obvious yet misunderstood truth: Black Lives Matter.

Session 1

Asian Adoptees on Identity, Racial Consciousness, and Black Lives Matter

Sung Ja Shin, Elly Fireside, Jaehoon Lee, and Kim Richard will discuss what sparked their journey to learn more about race and what it means to be an Asian adoptee in this moment of racial reckoning. They will also talk about what they are doing now to help support the movement for Black lives and Black liberation. This conversation is moderated by Dr. SooJin Pate.

Session 2:

Coming to Terms with Racism and White Supremacy

Words such as “racism” and “white supremacy” are widely misunderstood and misused, leading to misinformed conversations. Therefore, this session focuses on the difference between bias vs. prejudice and prejudice vs. racism; the various types of racism; the relationship between racism and white supremacy; and how white supremacy shows up in our everyday lives. This session will also highlight anti-Blackness and anti-Asian bias. This session is facilitated by Dr. SooJin Pate.

NOTE: Registrants will be asked to do some pre-work by reading two short essays. In addition, some homework will be assigned in preparation for Session 3.

Session 3

How to Be an Antiracist Asian Adoptee

In this final session of the series, we will learn what it means to be an antiracist and how we, Asian adoptees, can activate our antiracist lens in everything we do, including the conversations we have with our coworkers, friends, and family members. Time will be provided to practice these potentially difficult conversations in small groups, getting feedback from others on how to handle obstacles and challenges they might face, as well as tips on how to mitigate potential missteps that could shut down conversations. This session is facilitated by Dr. SooJin Pate.