Standing In Solidarity Against Racism

The Full Moon Jam Board condemns the racist and misogynistic acts of violence that occurred in Atlanta on March 16th. We stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific diaspora communities, in Chicago, Atlanta, and worldwide.

This past year has seen a dramatic rise in hate crimes against people of Asian descent in America, including the heartbreaking murders of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, by a white domestic terrorist in Atlanta this week. These incidents follow a long tragic history of anti-Asian racism in America and underscore the urgent need to name and dismantle white supremacy in our country. In particular, this hate crime reflects the dangers posed to Asian women and Asians who are perceived as women regardless of their gender, as a result of the fetishization of Asian women as exotic sex objects, rooted in campaigns of American imperialism, militarism, and colonialism in Asia and the Pacific.

This latest iteration of anti-Asian violence in America continues to target some of the most vulnerable among us, including women, queer folk, seniors, disabled people, low-income workers, sex workers, and immigrants. These abhorrent actions have been inflamed by bigoted xenophobic rhetoric from elected officials, public officials, and members in our own communities and families. What we do as artists and creatives isn't immune from replicating these harmful biases and ideas. We've seen it in our art, stories, performances, and pop culture that portray Asian women as dragon ladies and butterfly maidens, that frame Asian people as eternal foreigners, and treat Asian cultures and practices as exotic playthings to be appropriated and consumed without respect or understanding of their context and meaning. It is incumbent upon each of us to speak up and make it clear that this rhetoric and these ideas are unacceptable, from blatant violent actions like the murders in Atlanta, to dehumanizing policies and laws, to "jokes" about "happy ending massage parlors" and "the kung flu."

FMJ is committed to making all members of our community feel safe. We are actively listening to our community members of color and are dedicated to learning how we can uplift and protect them. One resource that has been recommended is free Bystander Intervention Trainings organized by Hollaback!, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). Members of the FMJ board are signed up for upcoming dates along with other members of FMJ leadership. We encourage members of our community at large to join us in this work and empower ourselves to take better care of each other. This goes beyond creating a safe and brave space for the jam. We must do this work to create a safe and brave space where we live, where we work, and where we play.

Please consider donating to these local organizations that serve and advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Chicago:

● Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago -- notably they're advocating for the TEAACH Act which would require adding Asian American history to public school curriculums. ● HANA Center ● AFIRE Chicago ● Support Ho(s)e ● Axis Labs ● People Matter

● Chinese Mutual Aid Association - Chicago/Elgin ● Kan-Win ● Apna Ghar ● National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (Chicago Chapter)

● Barefoot Hawaiian ● Raks Geek

To learn more about Asian and Pacific American history, here are some recommended resources:

● The Making of Asian America by Erika Lee ● The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority by Ellen D. Wu ● Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong ● The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race in America by Anthony Ocampo ● "A Letter to My Fellow Asian American Women Whose Hearts are Breaking" by R.O Kwon ● "Why This Wave of Anti-Asian Racism Feels Different" by Cathy Park Hong ● The Trauma of Everyday Racism and Misogyny ● "This is Where Ignoring 150 Years of Anti-Asian Racism Got Us" by Venessa Wong ● Asian Americans documentary series on PBS (currently available for free)

Signed, The Full Moon Jam Foundation Board